G. Srinivasan
THANJAVUR: Sixty visually challenged chess players displayed their skills at the first State-level ‘Independence Cup 2007’ chess tournament for the visually impaired organised by the Rotary Club of Thanjavur Mid-Town and Dragon Chess Academy here on Saturday.
The two-day tournament held at Raja Palace Thirumana Arangam was declared open by Wing Commander J.K.Chandna, Station Commander, Air Force Station, Thanjavur.
B. Rajkumar, Secretary of Dragon Chess Academy, said that the tournament was organised to bring out the talent of visually impaired persons and create an awareness of eye donation. Muthuraman, a guest lecturer at Villupuram Government Arts college, is an FIDE rated player. “The rules are the same for us and normal persons. But the difference is in the board and the pieces. The pieces could be identified by touch,” he said.
With a temporary job, he is looking for sponsors to help him participate in international tournaments. Antony Muthu, who lost his sight after a bout of typhoid, is another strong contender in the tournament.
Ambrose, National Arbiter, T.S.Nizar Ahmed, president of the Rotary Club of Thanjavur Mid-Town, S. Vijayakumar, Director, Club services, Rotary, S.Dhanraj, secretary of the club, R.K.Balagunasekaran, Joint secretary, Tamil Nadu State Ahess Association and G.Balasubramanian, president of the Dragon Chess Academy, were among those who participated in the inaugural function.