Customs Commissioner Sk. Rahman on Wednesday said that though India was the birth place of chess, it acquired prominence in other countries.
Speaking at the inaugural of the National FIDE Open rating chess championship at Icon Public School, he said that the administrators concerned should help chess gain its supremacy.
“People from the South have taken chess seriously and we have many talented players from this region. I wish the new State of Andhra Pradesh carves a niche for chess in the days to come.”
He said Vijayawada produced Grandmasters such as Koneru Humpy and Lalith Babu, and many rated players.
“The late 90s and early 2000 saw a spurt in rating tournaments organised by the Andhra Pradesh Chess Association. We should bring back the past glory,” he added.
He exhorted the students not to waste their time and instead take up games like chess to improve their analytical skills.
