Port Blair, Aug 11: The ‘AICF Chess For Everyone’ All-India FIDE Rated Chess Tournament 2023 began today morning at Hotel TSG Grand, Dollygunj, Port Blair. The tournament is being organised by the Andaman Nicobar Chess Association (ANCA) under the aegis of All India Chess Federation (AICF), powered by TCI.

This is the first time, ANCA is hosting an All-India level FIDE rating Chess Tournament. More than 160 Chess players from 15 different states of India including players from Defence Accounts Sports Control Board (DASCB), Railways and one Women FIDE Master are participating in these five days event which will be held over 9 rounds in Classical format from 11th to 15th August 2023.

The prize money of the tournament is Rs. 1,25, 000/- which will be awarded among the top twenty players of the tournament.

The tournament is arbitrated by the Chief Arbiter, International Arbiter Dinesh H, A & N Islands, the Deputy Chief Arbiter, International Arbiter Anil N J, Karnataka and eight other local Senior National Arbiters (SNA) from A & N Islands.

Shri. Yash Chaudhary, IAS, Secretary Sports/ Education, A & N Administration was the chief guest for the inaugural ceremony, who made the ceremonial first move against Miss. Kashthuri Bhai, Asian school game medallist to kick start the event in presence of Patron, ANCA, Shri. G Bhasker who graced the occasion as the guest of honour.

Speaking on the occasion the chief guest appreciated the efforts of Andaman Nicobar Chess Association for hosting such a wonderful tournament and assured all possible help from the administration side. He urged the organisers to arrange the top board games of the ongoing chess tournament to make live for better outreach of the chess game to the mass.

Earlier Shri. C. S. Ashok welcomed the gathering and highlighted the activities and the achievements of ANCA and requested the administration to consider chess club in the schools of UT for the betterment of the children as the chess game teaches so many life skills among children especially during the early years of life.

Shri. Tanveer Singh, Vice President, ANCA proposed the vote of thanks and conveyed his best wishes to the players for a great tournament and expressed his sincere gratitude towards all the sponsors for their support and generous contribution.

Tournament First Day Update: P Tata Rao being the top seed maintaining the lead position with 2 full points winning against Daksh with white pieces whereas the tournament 2nd seeded Women FIDE Master C H Meghana faced a tough competition from Chittiboina Mageswari, A & N Islands on second board.