Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Dec 2: The 10th State Level FIDE Rating Open Chess Championship got underway at MLA Cottage indoor hall here on Sunday.
Ninety-five players, including 49 FIDE rated, from various districts are participating in the nine-round tournament, which will be played in Swiss format, informed All Arunachal Pradesh Chess Association secretary Nabam Chada.
A good number of women and differently abled persons are also participating in the five-day tournament, which will continue till six November, he said.
Tadam Dupit, who had won the State Classical Chess Championship, 2018 title in the open category at the age of 14 years, will be the star attraction of the tournament.
He is the younger brother of former champions Tachung Dupit and Tabu Dupit of Upper Subansiri district.
A brief inaugural function was organized before the start of the tournament, which was attended, among others, by Sports Authority of Arunachal Chairman Bamang Tago, Managing Director (HR), Hydropower Development Corporation Ltd. Toko Anuj.
In his brief speech, Tago highlighted the benefits of playing chess.
He advised the players to practice as much as possible as regular practice can only make a sportsperson perfect.
Tago said that the All Arunachal Pradesh Chess Association (AAPCA) is one of the oldest sports associations in the state and the Chess has been kept in category B sports in the state.
He assured that the association will be provided fund as per provision to conduct tournaments and other activities relating to development of the game. He said Rs. four lakh as entitled will be provided annually.
Meanwhile, Tago informed that the Sports Minister had advocated reviewing the Sports Policy and rectify it to satisfy the present needs and situation.
Later, Tago declared the tournament open by moving a pawn on a board.
