'Goan chess is definitely going places' - Grandmaster Thipsay
Seven time National Champion and Arjuna Awardee Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay of Union Bank of India had many kind words to say while speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of the Monginis 46th National 'B' Chess Championships which took place at the Shri Damodar Devasthan, Zambaulim.
Thipsay stated that 'he had never seen such tremdendous growth in any state across India, the way that chess was growing by leaps and bounds in Goa'. He mentioned that the State Association was taking all 'the right steps' to promote the sport across the length and breadth of the state. He congratulated the organisers for smooth conduct of the tournament considering the fact that 'there was not a single appeal or protest during the thirteen rounds' and went on to add that he would be happy to visit Goa 'any time in the future for playing in well planned events such as this one'.
Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi of Air India, while speaking on the occasion expressed his happiness over the fact that in Goa it is mostly the kids that are coming forward to participate in tournaments in a big way. Being India's youngest grandmaster himself, Parimarjan stated that this was a 'healthy trend' that should be kept alive at all costs as it is 'the youngsters that will keep the torch burning for the future generations'. He mentioned that he will take 'happy memories back with him from Goa' and that he will be more than happy to visit again in the future for chess.
The Chief Guest of the function Datta Naik presented a copy of his latest book to Grandmaster Thipsay stating that by strange cooincidence his latest novel included a chapter on chess. He mentioned as the CEO of Monginis that the firm was happy to associate with chess activities in the future especially when they were related to the Goan children.
The Chief Arbiter K.R. Seshadri presented the Arbiter's report and mentioned that as many as 10 Goans will be gaining their initial FIDE rating from this tournament. This was a 'historic event' he added mentioning the record number of entries (411) for the tournament and congratulated the Goa State Chess Association for this feat. G.B. Joshi, reputed coach from New Delhi, as felicitated by the Chief Guest on this occasion as were the coaches who have contributed in great measure to the progress in Goa - R.V. Gokhale, Anup Deshmukh, Akash Thakur, C.S. Gokhale and Varughese Koshy.
Sanguem MLA Vassudev Meng Gaonkar presided over the function and congratulated the Goan players for participating in large numbers and accomplishing their initial ratings in such fine fashion. Shri Damodar Devasthan Committee Chairman Manjunath Dukle was the Guest of Honour. GSCA President Sameer A. Salgaocar welcomed the gathering and GSCA Secretary Suhas Asnodkar proposed the vote of thanks.
GSCA Vice President Augusto Pinto was the compere for the evening. Gains in rating of Goan players 1. Anurag Mhamal (ELO 2113) gains 28 points. 2. Bhakti Kulkarni (ELO 2166) gains 14 points. 3. Cyrus Perreira (ELO 1873) gains 7 points Initial FIDE rating accomplished by Goans (in alphabetical order) 1. Anirudh Bhat 1927 2. Kelvin D'Lima 1758 3. Kishor Bandekar 1716 4. Kulkarni, Vipul 1641 5. Mohinish Naik 1808 6. Raje, Anil 1972 7. Ritviz Parab 1728 8. Rohan Ahuja 1700 9. Shravan Barve 1816 10. Snehil Shetty 1598 SOURCE: Sameer Salgaocar - Vice President, All-India Chess Federation
