Daijiworld News Network - Goa

Report and pics by Rajtilak Naik, Panaji

Panaji, Oct 16: This is the first time that the World Chess Championship for the Blind has come to India. Before this the Championship used to take place only in the European countries only.

Eightytwo players from 31 countries across the world including India are participating in this engaging game for the Blind mind experts.

The event was inaugurated by the Goa chief minister Pratap Singh Rane on October 9 at the Radisson resort in Varca-Goa, about 45 kms away from Panaji.

The finals will be played on October 18 at the same venue. The event is well organized by the All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB). President of the International Braille Chess Association (IBCA) Ludwig Beuttelhoff, who is visually impaired himself, has praised the AICFB for their excellent organization.

General secretary of the All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB) Charudatta Jadhav ( a visually impaired but a Computer Engineer by profession) is highly optimistic about the success of this event. The event is sponsored by the government of India in association with GTLF Mumbai.

The Championship is featuring 3 world champions and a woman world champion along with 45 other rated players across the world.

The Championship is following the swiss league system and at the end of the 9 rounds the new World Champion will be crowned.