Greater Noida witnessed an inspiring display of young talent as Aster School, Knowledge Park-1 successfully hosted the Aster Chess Fest 2025, bringing together more than 275 student players from 55 schools across the region. The event emerged as a vibrant platform for nurturing strategic thinking and sportsmanship among school children.
The competition was organised across five age categories — Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15, with separate matches for boys and girls. The primary aim of the tournament was to promote logical reasoning, concentration, decision-making ability and a strong sporting spirit among students.
A Celebration of Strategy and Discipline
Throughout the tournament, participants showcased remarkable patience, tactical brilliance and discipline. Each match reflected not only competitive spirit but also a deep respect for the game and fellow players. Chess lovers and parents praised the event for maintaining high standards of organisation and fairness.
Students displayed impressive control over the board, with many young players demonstrating skills well beyond their age — a sign of how chess is rapidly gaining popularity among school children in NCR.
Esteemed Presence and Recognition
The event was graced by Dr. V.K. Sharma, Chairman of Aster Institutions, as the Chief Guest. In his address, Dr. Sharma emphasised the importance of chess in shaping young minds, stating that chess is not merely a game, but a tool for developing leadership, focus, patience, and analytical thinking.
At the closing ceremony, winners were honoured with trophies, certificates, and cash prizes, motivating students to pursue excellence in both academics and sports.
Prize Structure
◆ First Prize: Rs 5,100
◆ Second Prize: Rs 2,100
◆ Third Prize: Rs 1,100
These rewards encouraged students to give their best while maintaining the spirit of healthy competition.
Champions Across Categories
Several young players stood out with exceptional performances:
Under-7 Category
Winner (Junior Grandmaster): Aniket Mishra
First Runner-up: Wafi Shah Hussain
Second Runner-up: Ekansh Mishra
Under-9 (Boys)
Winner: Advay Singh
First Runner-up: Arjun Singh Pawariya
Second Runner-up: Ayansh Kumar
Under-9 (Girls)
Winner: Anika Sharma
First Runner-up: Bhargavi Aditi
Second Runner-up: Madhu
Under-11 (Boys)
Winner: Abhijay Pandey
First Runner-up: Udbhav Kohli
Second Runner-up: Amogh Khurana
Under-11 (Girls)
Winner: Shreyovi
First Runner-up: Aarvika
Second Runner-up: Aleena Saifi
A Step Towards Holistic Education
The Aster Chess Fest 2025 stood out not just as a competition but as a celebration of young intellect and discipline, reflecting the growing importance of mind sports in school education. Such events play a crucial role in shaping well-rounded students who excel both inside and outside classrooms.
With its grand success, the Aster Chess Fest has set a strong benchmark for future inter-school tournaments in Greater Noida and NCR.
