Minister Neiba Kronu and Chess grandmaster Ankit Rajpara during Chess Olympiad torch relay in Kohima on July 11. (Morung Photo)
Minister Neiba Kronu, chess grandmaster Ankit Rajpara and other officials with participants of blitz tournament during 1st ever Chess Olympiad torch relay in Kohima on July 11. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 11
The 1st ever Chess Olympiad torch relay for the 44th Chess Olympiad 2022 today touched Nagaland’s state capital Kohima.
Nagaland Chess Association (NCA) accorded warm welcome to chess grandmaster Ankit Rajpara on his arrival for the programme, which was organized in collaboration with Nagaland’s youth resources & sports and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) as part of the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Held at The Heritage, Old DC Bungalow, Kohima, this event witnessed Simul chess, Blitz tournament for Open, Under 18 and Under 14 Years category, audio presentation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi message and highlights from Chess Olympiad torch relay launch ceremony, cultural performance from Khiamniungan cultural troupe etc.
The rally witnessed the presence Nagaland’s planning & coordination, land revenue and parliamentary affairs minister Neiba Kronu, who is also president of NCA, Nagaland’s youth resources & sports secretary Wezope Kenye, Nagaland’s youth resources & sports director Akumla Chuba, NYKS Nagaland director in-charge John Makhabo, NCA honorary secretary & All India Chess Federation (AICF) joint secretary Mughaho Awomi, government officials and chess lovers and enthusiastic.
The programme was compered by Sulivi Assumi.
‘Chess has become a very important game’
Gracing the occasion, minister Neiba Kronu maintained that chess has become a very important game.
Chess is originated in India and it has gone far places and now to all over the world.
From olden days, famous people like Napoleon and almost all British prime ministers and few of American presidents play chess. Princes and kings too play chess.
In India, Kronu said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi too play chess.
Chess has become a very important game for students as it enhance their concentration and enable them to think deeper, the minister said adding that it benefit the youngsters in many ways.
Chess also helps the thinkers and politicians to become wiser, Kronu said.
The minister stressed on the need to organize more Chess tournaments across the state and also encourage the youngsters to actively associate with the same.
About the Chess Olympiad torch relay
The 44th edition of the Chess Olympiad has been awarded by the world chess federation under the banner of Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) to the All India Chess Federation (AICF), which will be held from 28 July to 10 August 2022 at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.
In this edition, FIDE has been instituted the chess Olympiad torch relay to mark the event being held in India, the land where the chess originated in the 6th century AD and spread to Persia to Europe and the rest of the world.
To mark this occasion, it has been decided to have the torch relay covering 75 iconic locations of the country to spread awareness about sports and also about the Chess Olympiad.
The torch will travel to 75 iconic locations selected in consultation with the Ministry of Culture across the country and will reach Chennai on July 28.
The Government of India has assured to give pace to Khelo Chess like the Khelo India across the country, said NCA vice president P. Khezhie.
Khezhie said that Chess is a game, but it is also art and science. It teaches a person the culture of thought and accuracy, creativity and honesty. It imposes deep respect with regard to the opponent.
He said that NCA has been advocating and promoting the game of chess in the state for the last three decades or more.
Such auspicious event as today will surely be a boost to our chess community and state, he maintained.
NCA Blitz tournament winners
Open Category
1st- Kevilekho Zumvu
2nd- Melesai Dawhuo
3rd- Kiyaselie Mere
Under 18
1st- Pulonito Hesso
2nd- Kunvuto Awomi
3rd- Muzivolii Swuro
Under 14
1st- Jitihto Nyekha
2nd- Luku Khesoh
3rd- Pezavilie Kuotsu
