SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Jan 25: The 5th Navin Sinha Memorial All India Rapid Chess Open Tournament will be held at St Xavier Welfare Centre in Chaibasa on January 26. The event is expected to draw a large crowd of chess enthusiasts and participants.
Jharkhand’s Transport Minister, Dipak Birua, will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony in the evening and will present the trophy to the winners.
Prize Money and Format
General Secretary of the organizing committee Basant Khandelwal said the total prize pool for the tournament is set at Rs 1 lakh, with nine rounds of rapid chess to be played. Each round will consist of a 10-minute game with a 5-second increment.
The event is open to registered players of all ages and from any state, making it an inclusive competition.
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Participation and Top Players
Around 200 players, including 80 internationally rated participants, will compete in the tournament. International Master (IM) Himal Gusain of Chandigarh has been given the top seed for the competition.
The tournament promises tough competition, and the top 25 players will receive cash prizes. The champion will receive Rs 20,000 along with the Navin Sinha Memorial Trophy.
Organizers and Coordination
The tournament is being organized by the West Singhbhum District Chess Association (WSDCA) in collaboration with Grih Laxmi Sales and Marketing.
The chief arbiter for the event is International Arbiter Vishal Kumar Minj, while Juel Gagrai serves as the chief coordinator.
The event is seen as a proud moment for Chaibasa, as it hosts a prestigious All India level chess tournament, according to District Chess Association’s patron, Nitin Prakash.
