By Venkatachari Jagannathan

Chennai, Dec 17 (IANS): With eight rounds gone and just three more remaining, none of the top officials of All India Chess Federation (AICF) are to be seen at the ongoing National Senior Chess Championship in Sikkim, said chess players and officials.

"The tournament would throw up the National Chess Champion. It is the premier tournament of the country. With none of the AICF top officials turning up at the venue till now, the National Senior Chess Championship this year seems to have become an orphan," chess players and officials told IANS preferring anonymity.

"Perhaps for the first time in the National Championship's history, the top AICF officials are absent. May be someone from AICF will attend the closing ceremony," a chess player told IANS.

Even on the inaugural day, top AICF officials were absent while the tournament was inaugurated by Kuber Bhandari, Secretary, Sports Ministry.

"All the country's top players are present at the tournament. It would give the AICF officials a chance to meet them and ascertain their views and needs first hand," a senior player said.

Officials and others who have gone to Sikkim as a part of their state teams told IANS that the facilities and food were good.

"The AICF Secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan will be attending the prize distribution function. He has confirmed his presence," Mahendra Dhakal, Secretary, Sikkim Chess Association said.

"The national event is being held for the first time not only in Sikkim but in the entire North East states. Local lad and two times North East Champion Rahul Gurung had done well till now scoring five points in eight rounds," Dhakal added.

The tournament held at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Majhitar has attracted over 190 top-rated players including Grand Masters (GM) and International Masters (IM) from different states, union territories and public sector undertakings (PSU).