Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Jul 16: The 5th Mangalore International Open FIDE Rated Chess Tournament – 2011 organised by South Kanara District Chess Association at Radhakrishna Temple Hall, G T Road here was inaugurated by K Anil, senior regional manager, Indian Overseas Bank, Mangalore region here on Saturday July 16.

He said that the tournament has been supporting the players every year. "Chess is a game of concentration and SKDCA is doing noteworthy work by conducting the tournament," he said, and appreciated the systematic and disciplined way in which the tournament is being conducted.

Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay was honoured on the occasion for his uninterrupted participation in the Mangalore Open Tournament by SKDCA. In response to the honour, Thipsay said, "I was a little reluctant to participate in the first Mangalore Open Tournament, but I spoke to M S Gururaj and was totally impressed and came to Mangalore." 
 
P Jayaram Bhat, MD, Karnataka Bank, M R Vasudeva, director of Mangalore airport, M B Puranik, honorary president of the SKDCA, V Raghavendra, secretary, M S Gururaj, president, SKDCA, Ajaynath Rai, president of human rights commission, Sikkim, Rajshekar, superintendent of police, Kohima, Nagaland among others were present.
 
As many as 421 contestants are participating in this open tournament which will conclude on July 23. Prize distribution will be held on July 23 at 4 pm.

As many as 356 are International FIDE Rated players including 4 Grand Masters, 21 International Masters and 6 FIDE masters are the contenders for this Grand Rs 5,55,555 prize money.