As many as 40 international-level players will participate in the upcoming 41st National Sub-Junior Boys and 32nd Sub-Junior National Girls Chess Championship to be hosted by J&K for the first time ever from September 21 to 29.
The championship will be organised by the All J&K Chess Association. A total of 11 rounds under the Swiss system will be played in the championship wherein cash prizes worth Rs 2 lakh will be distributed among the winners along with certificates and trophies.
Atul Kumar Gupta, president of the All J&K Chess Association, who is also the joint secretary of the All India Chess Federation (AICF), while briefing the media today, said more than 300 participants, including coaches and managers, drawn from 20 states of the country would vie for top honours in the sporting event to be held at Jalsa Retreat, Domana.
He said 15 states had already confirmed their entry for the championship, while the remaining entries were likely to be received within few days. Eight players each (4 boys and 4 girls) would represent the participating state in the national championship.
Atul informed that a 12-member team (6 boys and 6 girls) had been selected to compete in the championship. He, however, added that being the host state, J&K would field around 30 to 40 players through special entry basis as per rules of the AICF.
“Unlike previous edition at Kerala wherein the state team did not fare well I hope that our players would come up with an improved performance in front of home crowd which is an added advantage to them,” Atul said. “Top six boys and top six girls from this championship will be sponsored for two exposure trips abroad, most likely in European and Russian events, besides other international events,” the All J&K Chess Association president added.
Baldev Raj, Taranvir Singh Gujral, Vikas Nanda and Dr AS Bhatia were also present on the occasion.
