Bengaluru: 26th National Under 17 Open and Girls Chess Championship is organized by United Karnataka Chess Association in Association with Bharath Electronic Officers Club, Bangalore and under the auspices of All India Chess Federation started at 11 am today at Bharath Electronic Officers Club, Jalahalli Post, Bangalore 560013
The championship was inaugurated by Sri Sri Sri Chandrashekara Swamiji, “The game of chess will help to improve the ability to think and definitely will guide you to become good citizen”, he said in his inaugural speech.
Chief Guest of the inauguration function, Sri Manmohan Handa, Director- Bangalore Complex, Bharat Electronics, Bangalore said “BEL is promoting sports, culture and strong presence in corporate social responsibility in the rural area, predominantly in Education, Medical and Environment sustainability. Sri K S Krishna, Hon President- BEOC in his guest speech said “We in BEL believe in upbringing of future generation socially and culturally as good citizen. Chess game will help in inculcating patience, harmony which is need of hour”.
Sri D V Sundar, Vice President FIDE expressed his happiness and said “It is not who does the event, it is important to note with whom we align with in pursuit of popularizing the sport.” He congratulated UKCA in getting a top corporate House Bharath Electronics to support chess in Karnataka state.
Sri V C Prakash, Vice Chairman, NRI Forum holding cabinet rank expressed his happiness to join all distinguished guests on the dais and said he will support fully the State Association in getting a permanent venue for chess in Bangalore.
Sri Mallapa H Honnannavar, Hon Secretary BEOC was very proud to be associated with UKCA and expressed his interest in hosting many FIDE rating tournaments in BE Officers Club in near future. He thanked everyone in managing committee of BEOC for having faith in the success of the event and supporting.
Sri D P Anantha, President, United Karnataka Chess Association thanked Sri DV Sundar, Vice President, FIDE for providing necessary support and motivation for the state association. He gave out a plan of action for spreading awareness about benefits of chess across the Karnataka state.
Total of 80 players from 18 states are participating in open category.Mr Al Muthaiah (2316) of Tamilnadu is top seed follwed by Mr Sai Vishwesh C (ELO 2315) of Tamilnadu, National Junior Champion and Silver medalist in National Sub Junior WFM Vaishali R (2314), Krishna Teja N (2313) of AP. Defending National Under 17 silver medalist Mr Pranavananda V (2174) of AP is 12 seed in this championship.
In girls section, Defending National Under 17 Girls Champion, WFM Varshini V (2105) of Tamilnadu is top seed followed by Priyanka Natukki (2042) of AP Vantika Agrawal (2039) of Delhi, and Defending silver medalist WFM Mahalakshmi (2019) of Tamilnadu. It is important to know that, there are 8 titled players participating in this championship
The first round stated at 2:30 pm. The results of the first round will be sent at 6 pm today as the results expected approximately at 6 pm.
