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Check-mate!

A new craze is popularizing the game

PHOTO: M. MOORTHY

OVERWHELMING Attracted to chess

The FIDE-rated chess tournament arrived at a time when the game of 64-squares was turning out to be the most sought after sport among city youth. Such major events certainly help to popularise the game by increasing the appetite of budding players to perform well at higher levels.

Over the past few years the game has caught the youngster's attention, what with players from Tiruchi winning accolades at State-level competitions.

Improves concentration

Increase in the number of chess academies and also the quality of training offered have played a key role in the success of young players. "Chess helps in improving concentration and memory power. It enables youngsters to do well in studies. And most importantly, parents are also encouraging their wards to take up the sport," says M. Iravatham, the president of Tiruchi Chess Academy, the joint-organisers of the FIDE-rating tournament along with Vijay Anand Chess Academy.

Even the district-level tournaments have recorded registration requests from more than 100 players.

No surprise then that the FIDE-rating event drew the attention of players from various parts of the country including Assam and Karnataka. Three players from Sri Lanka — Winitha Wijisuriya, G.C. Annurudha and Kavinthi — also participated in the tournament.

High standard

"The standard in India is really high. Many players here are having better FIDE-rating points than the No.1 player in our country. The coaching offered here is also very professional and playing against good players in this tournament was a great experience for us," says Wijisuriya.

When it comes to training, the coaches in Tiruchi are second to none. Says N. Venkatraman of VBS Chess Academy: "Memory tests are conducted on a regular basis for the players and they are encouraged to play simultaneous chess. Due attention is also given on opening, middle and end games and written tests mainly consisting of objective type questions are held."

Generally, players in cities like Chennai are expected to get more exposure than those in the districts. But according to the secretary of All India Chess Federation, D.V. Sundar, the gap has reduced considerably over the years.

"GM-elect Deepan Chakravarthy hails from Madurai and he is able to match the best of players in the international arena. There is immense talent available in Tiruchi and other districts as well. It is all about playing competitive games regularly, which would give youngsters the confidence."

Every month there is some tournament or the other conducted in Tiruchi by anyone of the academies, which also sees participation of players from the neighbouring districts. "That is the only way to produce champions and there is no substitute for practice. We are sure that in the next two years or so Tiruchi will produce top class players," says C. Lesunathan of Vijay Anand Chess Academy.

G.PRASAD

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