THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Dhanbad, May 9: The death of united Bihar’s first professional coach and promoter of Jharkhand chess, International Master (IM) Verugeese Koshi, has sent a shock wave in the state.
Verugeese died in Chennai
Verugeese (66) died on Wednesday in Chennai. He had been suffering from cancer for the last two years. His last rite will be performed in his home town Adoor, Kerala today.
Vergeese was appointed in Tata Steel as the first chess player in 1983 and left the job in 1995 after making Jamshedpur as well as the then south Bihar (now Jharkhand) a strong base of chess in the country.
Founder coach of Tata Chess Centre
He was the founder coach of Tata Chess Centre and groomed champions like Pritam Singh, Vishal Minj and other players.
After leaving Jamshedpur in 1995 he remained in contact with organizers of Jharkhand chess and players. The last time he played in Jamshedpur was in 2010 in the All-India Open Chess Tournament. His last visit to Jamshedpur was in 2018. He came to attend RN Purty’s son’s marriage and met his old acquaintances.
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“Koshi not only gave exposure to players on how to play out of state but also organized a series of national tournaments at Jamshedpur, Patna in the interest of budding talents. He was a devoted chess promoter who created a chess environment in the state,” said Jayant Bhuyan, International Arbiter (IA) who was closely associated with Verugeese Koshi.
Interestingly, despite being bedridden due to cancer, Verugeese loved the game most. When Saraikela district chess association general secretary Ajay Kumar met him in Chennai during the Chess Olympiad in July 2022 and requested him to coach Jharkhand players online, Verugeese Koshi agreed to guide.
All Jharkhand Chess Association coordinator Prabhat Ranjan, IA Jayant Kumar Bhuyan, East Singhbhum Chess Association secretary NK Singh, Seraikela Chess Association secretary Ajay Kumar, West Singhbhum Chess Association secretary Basant Khandelwal, first treasurer of All Jharkhand Chess Association Arvind Kumar Sinha, top rank player Rohan Shandilya Vijay expressed deep shock over the death of Verugees and said that his contribution in state chess will be recalled forever.
