For the visually-challenged children, the 34th National Chess Championship organised at Devnar School for the Blind, Begumpet in association with Amway Opportunity Foundation came as an opportunity to showcase their talent. The event was inaugurated by the Governor of Andhra Pradesh E.S.L. Narasimhan.
Over 90 chess enthusiasts were seen battling it out on the 45 tables, in the Swiss League. There are two formats in the chess competition. One is the Round Robin and second is the Swiss League.
“I am excited to be here. In Round Robin usually it is a knock out but in Swiss League everyone gets a chance. I am happy I could make it here “ says Deeptyajeet, Std. VIII, Mahesh High School who came from Sreerampore, Hooghly.
The format
But how is the game for visually challenged different from the regular game? International Braille Chess Association, affiliated to FIDE, has guidelines for chess for the visually challenged according to which black squares are raised about 3-4 mm above the white squares.
The player is able to determine whether the square is a black or a white one by feeling the squares. Also, each of the square has a hole in the centre where the player can fix the piece.
The players can determine by feeling the shape of the piece, whether is it a pawn, bishop or knight, for instance. Also all the black pieces have a pin fixed on the head which helps the player from distinguishing a white piece from a black one.
As for the current event Ashwin Makhwana from Gujarat emerged the winner. "I have been playing chess full time," he says. Currently rated the best national player he would be representing India in the international chess tourney next year.
