Tamil Nadu State Chess Association Turned 60
By Arvind Aaron

The Tamil Nadu State Chess Association turned 60 on April 26. Two of the five founders - A.V.Sriramulu, P.S.Vaidhyanathan were felicitated at a grand ceremony held at the R.K.Swamy Auditorium in Mylapore, Chennai on April 26. "May the next 60 years be more brighter," blessed Vishy Anand, the chief guest. Anand was himself felicitated by the various informative speeches the 1 hour 55 minute show that attracted grandmasters from various parts of India and chess lovers from neighbouring Sri Lanka.

Cash prizes totalling Rs.4.50 lakhs were distributed on behalf of the sponsor P.R.Venketrama Raja, President of the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association by Anand. Of this Rs.1 lakh was already paid to N.Srinath, the World Under-12 champion of 2005. All the Tamil Nadu players who won World, Asian and Nationals were showered with cash awards. Notable among the awardees were World No.25 Krishnan Sasikiran who led India to a gold medal win at the Asian Games at Doha last year.

In his felicitations to the TNSCA, D.V.sundar, Honorary Secretary of the AICF hailed it as the "Role-Model" Association. Tamil Nadu is at its peak because of Viswanathan Anand being the No.1 ranked player in the world he said. He asked the Tamil Nadu Government to do more for the game and personally appealed to the Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of TN, Atulya Misra, IAS, to adopt the game of chess. Sundar had made similar requests to the Government of India to adopt chess.

Dr M.Gopalakrishnan, former President, TNSCA, and ex-CMD of Indian Bank, who found the sponsors for the Anand-Dreev, Candidates match at Madras in 1991 said, TNSCA had become very successful because of right mix of players, patrons and organisers. V.R.Deenadayalu, retired Managing Director of Madras Refineries who was instrumental in sponsoring the 1st BHEL Sponsored GM Tournament at Trichy in 1978 and the 1st MRL WGM Tournament of Asia at Chennai in 1987 commended the TNSCA for its big leap in chess. People like Anand who is the World No.1 ranked chess player, should be felicitated by the President of India he remarked.

In his long and engaging speech, J.C.D.Prabhakaran, welcomed the gathering. IM Manuel Aaron, General Secretary of the TNSCA, read the achievements of the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association right from 1947 to date with Anand being the No.1 ranked player in the world.

In his address, Misra, Member Secretary, SDAT said, they are handing over the Hall of Chess to the TNSCA for one year and are making several projects together with the TNSCA to popularise the game in the villages. P.R.Venketrama Raja, handed over a memento to Viswananathan Anand and garlanded the champion for becoming the No.1 ranked player. "I hope you will also win the world title later this year," he told Anand in his speech.

In replying to felicitations, Anand recalled occasions when his mother will look at the watch to inform him that his opponent had made his move. He also said how his father took him from Tumkur to Bangalore for dinner and icecream after losing to Neeraj Mishra in the National A that he won. "I am delighted at having met so many friends, from the past here," said Anand. His parents, relatives and besides chess friends were also present. Over 300 people mainly chess players were present. Tea and snacks were served. It was perhaps the most memorable day of the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association. International Arbiter V.Kameswaran had displayed historic photos as an exhibition. International Arbiter K.Muralimohan was hilarious as the Master of Ceremonies. Manuel Aaron proposed a vote of thanks. The Diamond Jubilee Celebrations could not have been done in a better way
 

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Published on : 27th April, 2007