Goa's WFM Bhakti Kulkarni (ELO 2112) defeated unrated P Sai Dugra Rahul in
the first round of the Commonwealth Chess Championships which got underway
at Khelgaon, Siri Fort, New Delhi. However, the two other players from
Goa - Anurag Mhamal (ELO 2092) and Harikrishnan Mohanan (ELO 1730) - both
lost their opening round games to unrated Samuel Walker and WIM Anjela
Khegay (ELO 2218) of Singapore respectively.
Earlier, Hon'ble Minister for Youth Affairs Sports and Panchayatiraj, Shri.
Manishankar Aiyar declared the Commonwealth Chess Championship open. More
than 280 players from 12 countries reported at the venue for participation
in the tournament. For the first time, the Commonwealth Chess Championship
is a Norm tournament. Unlike last year, when Norms were difficult for want
of adequate number of foreign players, this year youngsters can look forward
to making some difference to their chess career by scoring the adequate
points from the 10 round tournament.
In an emotional speech, the Sports Minister wondered how he could broadbase
the access to sports to Indian Citizens when the funds that are allocated
during the 10 years plan are being diverted to other areas for just 10 days
expenditure! He nevertheless congratulated the budding young chess players
including the recent medallists at the World Youth Chess Championships at
Antalya, Turkey for having brought laurels to the nation in the face of such
tough competition!
Shri.D.V.Sundar, Secretary All India Chess Federation, thanked the
Government and the Minister in particular for the unstinted support
extended to the chess fraternity. Shri. Bharat Singh Chauhan welcomed the
gathering. Delhi Minister Shri. Arvinder Singh Lovely also graced the
occasion.
SOURCE: Sameer Salgaocar - President - GSCA
