The 12th State-level chess championship for the visually challenged, organised by the Tamil Nadu Chess Association for the Blind, was inaugurated here by R. Karpoorasundara Pandian, former IAS officer, and patron of the association. One hundred players from various districts are taking part in the two-day event.
S.S. Pandiarajan, general secretary of the association, said that winners of this event would represent Tamil Nadu in the national championship for the visually challenged. Mr. Karpoorasundara Pandian also launched various welfare schemes, which included training in Braille, English language and yoga. M. Sundararajan, general secretary, Madurai Ramanathapuram Bank Employees' Association, presided. S. S. Sitavasan welcomed the gathering and S. S. Annamalai proposed a vote of thanks.The tournament is conducted on Swiss League rules, the only one change being the exemption from touch piece movement since they can observe boards only by touching.