Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 17: In a unique initiative, a Chess Tournament was organised for the passengers of MV Sindhu while sailing from Sri Vijaya Puram to Campbell Bay on 16th September 2025. With the support of the Captain and crew of MV Sindhu, the event was conducted in the ship’s canteen and received an overwhelming response from passengers of all age groups. Youngsters, seniors, women, and children enthusiastically participated in the rapid knockout-format competition, creating a vibrant atmosphere of recreation and learning at sea.
The tournament was inaugurated by Mr. Shiva Krishna, Chief Officer of MV Sindhu, who made the ceremonial first move on the top board. After several intense knockout rounds, Mr. Alexander Lakra emerged as the winner, while Mr. Somorjit and Mr. Prabhakar secured the second and third positions, respectively.
The Captain of MV Sindhu, Capt. Rohit Mojan Lall, graced the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest and distributed cash prizes to the winners. In his address, he appreciated the efforts of the organisers and motivated children to take up chess as a game of intellect and discipline. He lauded the initiative as a meaningful recreational activity for passengers during the long voyage and remarked that chess is also an excellent way to reduce excessive phone screen time by engaging the mind in a productive and enriching manner
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Education’s Chess Team is on its way to Campbell Bay for a Chess Training Programme aimed at promoting the game among students of the southern group of islands.