The Hindu : Sport : Pairing snafu delays National `B' meet

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 02, 2006

Sport

Sport

Pairing snafu delays National `B' meet

Rakesh Rao

AHMEDABAD: Over the years, Indian chess players have become immune to delayed starts in major tournaments in the country. Not only open events but also National championships take off hours after the scheduled start without a word of protest from any quarter. No wonder, every organiser takes the players' patience for granted.

The story was no different at the start of the National `B' championship at the Karnavati Club here on Friday evening. The first round, scheduled for 4 p.m. started at around 6:30 p.m. It is a reinforcement of the fact that organisers continue to show complete disrespect for time, ironically in a sport where the clock forms an integral part of the discipline.

The opening round could have started at least an hour earlier after the pairings was announced. However, G. Rohit, seeded seven, pointed out to the arbiters that his name was missing from the list. This meant the pairing had to be redone and the result was a further delay for 300 players.

More off-board drama

Before the action could commence, there was more drama with former National champion Nasir Ali, who won the inaugural edition in 1968, landed here along with two Uttar Pradesh players. Armed with a faxed copy of a court order, the players claimed that they had earned the right to represent the State in March before the UP Chess Association was de-recognised by the All-India Chess Federation and another one put in place.

After being turned back initially, the organisers, in consultation with AICF treasurer Bharat Singh Chauhan, agreed to let them play as `donor' entrants since regulations allow players to `pay-and-play' in National events.

After some reluctance, the trio not only agreed to pay the stipulated entry fee but also get a `recommendation letter' from the UPCA.

It was due to the respect Nasir Ali enjoys among the organisers that made the late entry possible in spite of the dispute.

Meanwhile, Kerala's K. Ratnakaran heads the updated players' list, followed by Airlines' S. Satyapragyan, Indian Oil's Deep Sengupta and Poobesh Anand. Former champion P. Konguvel and triple GM norm-holder G.B. Prakash complete the band of those rated in excess of 2400.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport