The hosts stole the show on the opening day of the 8th Asian Schools Chess Championship-2012, clinching 32 medals — including 12 golds — at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the capital on Saturday. As many as 415 players from 11 countries are participating in the championship being held in three formats — rapid, standard and blitz.
On Saturday, the Indians asserted their growing superiority in the age group championships of the rapid event. Besides the golds, they clinched 11 silver and nine bronze out of the 42 medals.
Both the Indian boys and girls were able to win all but one gold in the seven age groups events held in the category on the day.
Delhi youngsters Ram Gupta, Aradhya Garg and Prathivya Gupta brought cheers for the local fans by triumphing in the Under-17 Open, U-13 Open and U-5 Girls categories, respectively.