As many as 297 chess players are participating in the five-day National FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament which began on Wednesday and being held in Udupi for the first time.
The tournament is being organized by the Udupi District Chess Association and other organisations at the T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI).
R. Vishal, Deputy Commissioner, who inaugurated the tournament, said that chess players should not just be mentally but also physically fit as participation in physical activities kept their minds alert. Most of the chess players took part in sports activities such as swimming and marathon. “Keep pushing your intellectual boundaries,” he said.
R.C. Natarajan, Director of TAPMI, elaborated on the history of the game of chess. He said that the game was Indian’s contribution to the world. Mere memorisation of moves was not enough. Chess players should keep practicing regularly with other players. “You should be gracious in both your victory and defeat,” he said.
H.S. Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of Manipal University, said that both intelligence and concentration were required for chess players.
They should take inspiration from international players such as Vishwanathan Anand and Koneru Humpy. The Manipal University always encouraged sports activities, he said.
K. Suresh Prabhu, District Lions Governor, Shridhar Shenava, District Lions Vice-Governor, K. Rajagopal Shenoy, President of Udupi District Chess Association, and others were present.
