AICFB takes a firm step forward

MUMBAI, JUNE 25: The Blind Chess Nationals is celebrating its birth, virtually. This is the first National Championships where the partic...

MUMBAI, JUNE 25: The Blind Chess Nationals is celebrating its birth, virtually. This is the first National Championships where the participants have come through the qualification process.

Just a year ago, when the Nationals were held in Mumbai, there were 170 participants. This year, it has been whittled down to 60, making it virtually the first National Championships.

But that is not all. Since last year8217;s Mumbai tournament, blind players have made good progress. Two four-member teams participated in the World Championships and the Irish Open. And they met with success pretty soon. In the Irish Open, Charudatta Jadhav and Shirish Patil were second and third respectively, making them the first blind players from the country to finish among prize money in any international tournament.

Meanwhile, a braille chess magazine was launched, making it the first published magazine to come out from India.

Next year, the blind chess movement will truly celebrate its first year when the National A and B championships get rolling.

The All India Chess Federation for the Blind AICFB, which was formed two years ago, has 13 state bodies affiliated to it and is expecting further progress in the form of rating for its players and ultimately, the first International Master among the blind.

Jadhav, the AICFB8217;s active secretary, is among the few optimistic people willing the talk about the progress made by the blind players. His discomfort is evident when asked probing questions regarding the status for the national champion or any other promising youngster.

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8220;We are trying to work out something for him,8221; he retorts back when asked whether the national champion Vilesh Bhat has secured any job.

Jadhav is among few players who have achieved success. His performance at Irish Open gave him a performance rating of 2085. But due to the fact that there are no rated players, he had to bring down his provisional rating to 1885 for the current Nationals.

The great expectation for AICFB is the participating of two youngsters, Gaurav Garodia and Baldev Punkar, in the World Under-21 championships. Then there is the World Championships next year.