Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jul 18: Scores of brilliant minds gathered at Loyala Hall here on Sunday July 17 to battle for top honours in the 'Gonzaga Open Rapid Chess Tournament' orgainzed by Edgar's Altinovo Solutions, in association with St Aloysius Gonzaga CBSE School and Dericks's Chess School.

Earlier in the day, the tournament was inaugurated by Daijiworld founder Walter Nandalike. "For the first time in my life, I am associated with a chess tournament and I am really privileged to be part of this programme. I had several opportunities to be associated with other sports in India as well as abroad. But this is a new experience. I have been following chess since my childhood. Even today, Gary Kasparov is one my role models. I admire him because of his intelligence, achievement and leadership quality."

In his message to budding chess players, he said, "You chose to play chess not by yourself but because of the encouragement by your parents and teachers. This sport is rapidly growing not only in the city but in the entire state as well. To play chess you should be smart and intelligent. I wish all the budding chess players to achieve great success in the sport and bring laurels to the institution and the city.

"It is easy to make chess moves but difficult to master the game. Through chess, you will develop leadership qualities. Chess requires concentration and the same will help you achieve success in your respective fields," he added.

Fr Ivan Mendonca, managing director of St Aloysius Gonzaga CBSE School, said, "I have played chess only for entertainment and as a passtime. Chess requires patience and perseverance to sit, think and make the right moves. Chess taught me many lessons in life. One of the great lessons is that the player is responsible for every move and all that happens in the game. Each move is the player's choice and he cannot take it back. In life there will be choices, for each choice that we take, we ourselves are responsible. This is a great event. We should support this sport and encourage children. There are great brains among us and if given the right training and motivation, they will shine at the international level."

Derik Pinto, founder of Derik's Chess School and Grace Noronha, principal of St Aloysius Gonzaga CBSE School also spoke on the occasion.

Edgar John Pereira, managing director, Edgar's Altinovo Solutions welcomed the gathering. Priya proposed the vote of thanks.

Valedictory

"Chess is not getting enough attention such as games like cricket do. Chess has huge potential. A place like Mangaluru can boost this game. More tournaments should be held, preferably every month or every weekend. It can be rapid or open any kind or any level of chess, but important thing is to hold such tournaments on a regular basis," said A B Ibrahim, deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada.

Addressing the valedictory ceremony of Gonzaga Open Rapid Chess Tournament at Loyola Hall here the same evening, Ibrahim further said, "More tournaments will bring new players. There should be a good number of organizers. When there are organizers like Derik's Chess School, educational institutions and the sports department, more chess talents will emerge and more people will be attracted to the game.

"Chess can create a sense of awareness among the youth who are now engrossed in TV and mobile phones. Today, 280 players participated in this chess championship, which is a substantial number. Conduct tournaments even with small number of players, it will create new personalities and champions amongst us. Then we can transform Mangaluru into a Chennai," he said.

Fr Denzil Lobo, director AIMIT Beeri, lauded the organizers for their effort in holding such an event said, "You have created an opportunity for young boys and girls to showcase their chess skills."

He also spoke about Hridayeshwar Singh Bhati who invented a six-player variant of chess at the age of 9 and obtained a patent for his invention. He was suffering from muscular dystrophy, but in spite of that, due to his indomitable spirit he had excelled in chess. Stephen Hawkings was his inspiration and he wanted to be like him. He showed that despite deficiency and physical disabilities he could compete internationally. Playing chess helps in exercising both sides of the brain, raises the IQ level, prevents Alzheimer's disease, sparks creativity and increases problem solving skills, improves reading skills and optimizes memory. I am sure people who play chess from a young age benefit from it. I hope in future many students will participate in national and international chess competitions," he added.

Prasanna Rao, administrator of Derik's Chess School mentioned that in the year 1998-'99 under Derik's leadership, rapid chess was introduced in the city.

Grace Noronha, principal of St Aloysius Gonzaga CBSE School also spoke on this occasion.

Edgar John Pereira, managing director, Edgar's Altinovo Solutions welcomed the gathering.