Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Apr 10: “If the State government encouraged Chess players in Karnataka, definitely more youth would have become Chess Grandmasters. Talent is aplenty in the state and encouragement is needed to achieve success,” said M S Thejkumar, Karnataka’s first Chess Grandmaster title winner who is ranked as India’s 50th Grandmaster.
Addressing media on Tuesday, April 9, he said, “Chess players have all the facilities under sports quota just like other games. Chess enhances the intelligent quotient of students. It will not disturb studies.”
“Chess is made as a mandatory subject in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. So there are 20 Grandmasters in Tamil Nadu. I have been getting offers from schools to train students. G A Stany from Shivamogga is another Grandmaster from Karnataka,” he said.
Thejkumar said that India's first Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand is his role model and he took up Chess as a profession after being inspired by him. “I am also working as a section officer in Railway department,” he said.
“I have attempted to compete in Commonwealth sports 3-4 times. One Indian has won Commonwealth under chess. This time, I will participate in Commonwealth games scheduled to be held in June. I have free entry to participate in Commonwealth and I will choose open category,” he said.
“Today’s parents send their children to Chess class at the age of four. If more Chess tournaments are conducted, young talents will get a platform to prove their potential,” stressed Thejkumar.
He unveiled the trophies of Karnataka State level Federation under 13 Chess championship ‘Shri Naragana guru Trophy’, which is being organised by Kalabhimani Sangha Kaup and Udupi district Chess Association under the aegis of United Karnataka Chess Association (UKCA). The competition will be held from April 12 to April 14, 2019 at Sri Hale Mariyamma Auditorium, Kaup.
The Cash prize is Rs 70,000. Two winners under male and female category will get the chance to play in national level chess competition. Seven rounds under three categories 7, 9 and 11 will be held. Ten in each category will get prizes.
Manjunath Manipal, K Srinivas Pooajry, president of Kalabhimani Sangha Kaup, Umanath Kaup, coordinator, Sakshath U K, national level judge and others were present.