National "A" Postponed

By Arvind Aaron 

The 45th National A which was inaugurated in the mid-day of Sep 4 was postponed after the players asked the organisers to offer better accommodation than what was offered.

The venue was a college in the south of Chennai city. The college had offered Rs.400,000 in prize fund which was a record. However, players requested for better accommodation.

To save the situation, the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, offered each of he 44-players, Rs.5,000 to find their own accommodation totalling Rs.2.20 lakh. Also they offered free transport from Chennai city if they happen to select a place to stay in the city. Players demanded above Rs.5 lakhs to find identical lodging for all 45 players which was not in the budget of the TNSCA. Since there was a shortfall of Rs.3 lakhs, the event was postponed.

AICF Secretary D.V.Sundar announced that new dates will be announced at the AICF Meeting on September 16.

In September 2006, which is exactly a year back the National Women's B was held at the same venue and players observed that was the best organised. What the women liked as best, the men did not.