36th National U-17 Chess C’ship begins in Jammu

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 28: The 36th National U-17 Boys and Girls Chess Championship commenced at Kangra Fort Banquets and Resorts, Barnai, Jammu, with a record 286 players from 30 States/UTs, including 38 from J&K, participating in the championship.

Around 200 others, including arbiters, managers, coaches and accompanying persons, are also taking part in the event. Director General, Youth Services and Sports, J&K, Anuradha Gupta, was the chief guest and, along with All J&K Chess Association president Meenal Gupta, made the ceremonial opening move to formally declare the championship open.

The championship carries a total cash prize of Rs 9 lakh and serves as a direct selection event for World, Asian and Commonwealth championships. The top three players will receive sponsorship from the Sports Authority of India for four international tours, including the World Championship, besides sponsorship of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh from the All India Chess Federation.

Those present on the occasion included Atul Kumar Gupta, Chairman, Planning and Development Commission, All India Chess Federation, Baldev Raj, former President, AJKCA, Arvindu Sharma, Coordinator, AJKCA, Dr Ajit Kumar, Jismon Mathew, Chief Arbiter from Kerala, Arbind Singh, Deputy Chief Arbiter from Bihar, and Ovais, Arbiter from Kerala, besides other officials and arbiters.