10-Apr-2009 98
Chess in Orissa continues to enjoy a gala time following the appointment of a state ad hoc committee by All India Chess Federation, the apex National governing body of the 64-square game.
After organising a grand felicitaion function for players and officials, the ad hoc committee is now gearing up to host the first ever International Open Grandmaster Tournament at Bhubaneswar from June 7 to 14.
According to All India Chess Federation website ndianchessfed.org, the SCS International Open GM Tournament, offering a total cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs, will be participated by a number of Grandmasters and International Masters from both home and abroad.
There will be 102 prizes up for grab with the champion getting Rs 2 lakhs and the runner-up Rs 1.20 lakhs. The 60th position will fetch Rs 3,000. The top 20 Orissa players will get Rs 3,000 each. Cash prizes will also be given to best 10 veterans and best two players in women, under-19, under-15 and under-10 categories.
Last date of entry has been set as May 23. However, entries with late fee of Rs 1,000 will be accepted till June 6.
All participants will be provided free accommodation at hotels and guest houses. But accompanying persons will have to bear their own expenses. The 10-round Swiss System tournament will be conducted as per FIDE Laws of Chess.
City-based Star Consultancy Services (SCS), which financed the felicitation function, will also be the title sponsor of the GM tournament, which is estimated to involve a budget of Rs 40 lakhs.
Tournament details:
Contact persons: Vivek Tibarewal (91-94370-28266), AK Mukherjee (91-99378-19378), Subhasis Patnaik (91-98613-91258), Sekher Sahoo (91-94385-63193), Manoj Panigrahi (91-94372-33173), Saroj Behera (91-98610-83764).
E-mails: orissachess.adhoc@gmail.com / vkt2006@yahoo.co.in
Websites: www.orissachess.orisports.com / www.orisports.com
Entry fees: Free for GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs. Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000 for players rated from 2,400 to 1,400. Rs 7,000 for unrated players. Rs 3,500 for unrated Orissa players.
