Amid lockdown, chess tournament goes online in Nagaland

Dimapur, April 27 (MExN): With lockdown measures to contain COVID-19 restricting any physical sporting activities, Nagaland Chess Association (NCA) has found a unique strategy to keep interest in the game alive.

The strategy? The first Nagaland Online Open Chess Tournament to be held on May 1 with both open and age category (Under-16).

Only the Naga players are allowed to participate in the tournament, informed NCA President Mughaho Awomi in a press release received here  

Though the prize monies are not huge, with the current lockdown, the virtual tournament might saw considerable participation. 

 According to NCA, the tournament will be held in 3+2s (Blitz) time format with duration of 90 minutes from 1-2PM on May 1.  
The tournament will be hosted on Lichess platform, an open-source Internet chess server.  The total prize money of the tournament is Rs 10,000.

There will be 10 winners in open category while the Uner-16 category has 5 winners. 

 How to participate? 
•    A players need to create Lichess account
•    There is an entry fee of Rs 50 for the tournament
•    Last date for registration is April 30
•    The payment can be made at:  Mughaho Awomi - A/C No 10277149203;  IFSC Code- SBIN0008306 A screenshot of the payment receipt should be send to-7005580145

Other conditions:   
•    Only the Naga players can participate 
•    Using of computer assistance or any chess engine is strictly prohibited If found using engine, you will be disqualified and banned from the future events 
•    All the games will be analyse by the tournament officials and cash prize will only given after analysis
•    The tournament link and password will be given only to those registered players  
•    One player, one prize In case if they are eligible for two prizes, the higher prize will be given
•     The players from under 16-year category need to produce birth certificate by clicking a photo of the certificate and sending it via Whatsapp to  7005580145
For further information, contact the tournament officials at: 7005580145/7005652166/7005403949/7005483247