Jharkhand Sports: IM Neeraj Mishra to mentor young chess players at Chaibasa camp

SUBHASH MISHRA

Dhanbad, May 15: International Master (IM) and India team coach Neeraj Kumar Mishra will mentor aspiring chess players from Jharkhand during a special summer coaching camp scheduled from May 21 to June 1. The camp will be held at the Sitaram Rungta Recreation Hall, Town Club, Chaibasa.

Organized by the West Singhbhum District Chess Association (WSDCA), the camp will accommodate only 50 selected players between the ages of 5 and 16.

Also Read- Jharkhand News: Youth dies after bike’s collision with stray bull in Jamshedpur

WSDCA General Secretary Basant Khandelwal informed that international-rated player Manish Kumar will serve as the chief trainer. IM Neeraj Kumar Mishra, currently based in Kolkata, has agreed to join as a guest trainer and share his expertise with the participants.

“This camp will prepare district-level players for the upcoming state championship scheduled to be held in Ranchi,” said Khandelwal. He added that Mishra’s role as a national coach will also provide a valuable learning opportunity for local trainers on how to groom junior players.

Also Read- Ajay Kumar assumes charge as UPSC Chairman

A former secretary of the All Jharkhand Chess Association (AJCA), Mishra had stepped down from his position in 2022 following a dispute with AJCA President and MP Pradeep Verma. Since then, he has been training players in West Bengal but continues to support chess development in Jharkhand upon request from district associations.