The week-long Chess Grandmaster coaching camp by seven-time national champion Pravin Mahadeo Thipsay, organised by Mustabada Education and Sports Academy concluded on Saturday with Potluri Hemanth emerging as the best player.
He hauled 130 points out of 150.
At the closing ceremony held at Hotel DV Manor here, Thipsay handed over trophies and certificates to all the players and predicted that at least five to six players had the attitude and temperament to do well in big tournaments.
“The camp went on well as all the students asked the several questions. They showed interest in knowing the intricacies of the game,” he added. Thipsay, in an effort to boost the interest among the players, said he would sponsor a trip for two players among the district medal winners to meet his friends - legendary former Indian cricket skipper and opener Sunil Gavaskar and BCCI selection committee chairman Sandeep Patil.
“The players will be selected by lottery. Play well and I will show you Mumbai and the legendry players,” the Grandmaster promised amidst applause.
Andhra Hospitals Managing Director P. Ramana Murthy, on a request made by Krishna District Chess Association secretary D. Srihari, agreed to allow the premises of his Bhavanipuram unit for conducting the district selection tournaments.
D. Nagendra Prasad, managing director of Hotel DV Manor, said his hotel was always in the forefront in lending a helping hand for sports. “My hotel will be a venue for more chess tournaments in the future,” he said.
