For the first time in the Barak Valley, Silchar Open International FIDE rating chess tournament got underway on Wednesday evening with the opening of the first move on a chess board by none other than India’s Grandmaster, Dibyendu Barua.
Held in Silchar town on Wednesday evening, the inaugural programme, though brief, became more fascinating with the arrival of India’s second Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, after Viswanathan Anand.
Addressing the participants, who have come from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia, apart from various States of India, numbering close to 200, Dibyendu Barua wished all to focus hard and come out winners, not just for themselves, but for the game as a whole.
Speaking on this occasion later to Northeast Now, Dibyendu Barua said, “It is a very good sign that this tournament is being held here in Silchar. Not, just one in a few years, but, efforts must be there to hold at least four to five tournaments every year, if not at the district level, the States and its respective governments should come forward.”
Taking a dig at the Assam Government, Dibyendu Barua, who hails from West Bengal, informed, “Only a sizeable number of international level tournaments can help Assam bring out a world class champion in this sport. India produces a world champion five times. We have won in various tournaments all round the globe. Assam too can produce a Grandmaster one day, but proper training and lots of exposure is needed to achieve that.”
Deputy Commissioner, Cachar, Dr S Lakhsamanan, who took a lot of initiatives in holding this tournament, is head over heals for sitting across Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua for a game of chess to start the tournament.
Speaking to this correspondent, he said, “I am really happy that I have been able to hold Barak Valley’s first FIDE rating international chess tournament. All the rules would be followed and would be a first step for the players as well as us to learn the nuances of this game and the running of it.”
Aptly supported by the All Assam Chess Association, All India Chess Federation, World Chess Federation (FIDE) and Cachar District Chess Association in conducting this tournament would keep a hawk’s eye upon each moves till October 1 when this tourney comes to its end.