Playing on the top board, Abhijit started with the King's Pawn opening to which top seeded Pranav Akolkar, requiring only a draw in the finals defended with the French defence. Pranav employed the Winawer variation, as Abhijit played the main line, but on the 10th move both Pranav and Abhijit agreed for a draw.

On the second board the second seeded Chandrakant Dongre opened with the King's Pawn, to which sixth seeded Ravi Behere responded with the Sicilian defence. However, Chandrakant employed the Alaphian variation as Ravi charged with the counter attack in the center and played vigorously. Chandrakant could not defend against Ravi's Queen's side. Taking advantage of this situation, Ravi checkmated him on the 28th move.

Utpal Sasane also began with the King's Pawn opening, to which seventh seeded Snehal Mahajan replied with the Pirc defence. However, in the middle game, Utpal played the classical variation and had a piece for a pawn and was in the losing position but put up a tough resistance. However, Snehal could not keep up the pressure properly and settled down for a draw in the 60th move.

Playing on the fourth board, second seeded Sandeep Gohad -- the first year BCom student of Marathwada Mandal College of Commerce (MMCC) -- began the game with the Queen's Pawn opening to which Mihir Naniwadekar answered with the Dutch defence. In the middle game, Sandeep employed the Staunton Gambit as he sacrificed a rook for two pieces. Later, Mihir blundered a rook on the 32nd move and Sandeep made no mistake in completing the game.

The top six players Abhijit (5.5), Utpal (5), Chandrakant, Pranav, Ravi, and Sandeep (4.5 each) have qualified for the forthcoming Ashok Khare Memorial International Rating tournament. The higher rated players from the city will be taking part in this tournament.

Results
Abhijit Joshi (5.5) drew Pranav Akolkar (4.5); Chandrakant Dongre (4.5) lost to Ravi Behere (4.5); Utpal Sasane (5) drew Snehal Mahajan (3.5); Sandeep Gohad (4.5) bt Mihir Naniwadekar (3); Anil Kulkarni (2.5) lost to Rajesh Sapkal (4); Saumitra Mujumdar (2) lost to Amruta Mokal (4); Prasanna Borse (2) bt Dhanaji Kakade (2).