For chess to become mainstream, annual tournaments are the only way, says former Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand

Chandra Prabhu | NT

Bengaluru: As the maiden Chess Grandmasters kicked off on Thursday at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, Godfather of Indian chess and Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand wished that tournaments like these are conducted regularly to strengthen the talent pool for chess.

“It is good that the organisers and the ministers show their intention to organise tournaments like these but for chess to become mainstream, annual tournaments are the only way,” he told News Trail.

Anand, who grew up in Chennai, also known as the 'chess capital of the country,' remarked that Bengaluru can also grow its own talent hub.

Anand, had come here reminiscing his memories in 1987, when he was crowned national champion in Tumakuru. British Grandmaster Nigel Short also talked about his first visit here in Bengaluru.

“This tournament is a step forward to the future. I see the potential here. However the lack of annual tournaments needs to change,” he added.

As grandmasters and chess aficionados look to take part in this week-long tournament, Short felt the keen interest shown by the enthusiasts here.

Anand was pleasantly surprised by the positive mood on the inaugural day. The tournament, the first in 42 years in the city, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramiah.

Sports Minister B Nagendra and MLC and political secretary to CM K Govindaraju were present.

Top seed Grandmaster Gupta cruises to first win

Top dog and five time Commonwealth Grand Master (GM) Abhijeet Gupta beat Apaar Saxena without much difficulty.

Second seeded GM S P Sethuraman, fourth seed Diptyan Ghosh, seventh seed GM Lalith Babu M R, eighth seed GM Fawzy Adham of Egypt, tenth seed GM Sayantan Das won in tough circumstances posed by their lower opponents.

Biggest shock was sixth seed Sankalp Gupta’s defeat in the hands of Matta Vinay Kumar.