28th June, Kolkata: With women empowerment standing tall in all agendas, the sports have also embraced the movement and West Bengal could see the first ever Fide rated Bengal’s Women Chess Championship from the age group 8 years to 14 years from 27th June till 1st July 2018 at the iLead campus, Kolkata. The initiative is taken by the Kolkata District Chess Association. The inauguration of the tournament was done by the actress Deboshree Bhattacharyya.
Atin Sengupta, the President of Kolkata District Chess Championship, says “This is the first time ever we have organized this kind of female oriented event though we have organized many events for the last few decades. This is with the thought to help the girls with their ranking in the sport. We wish to make it bigger and a national level event.” There were approximately 80 girls present in the tournament and all from the age group from 8 years to 14 years. The players were expectant with their success and confident of the game.
“This is a sport which is gender neutral. Even if a boy looses the game he will not feel bad. This is a big initiative where the girls can develop a personality and get confidence. A player no matter wins or loses, makes a mark in the sport or does not this sport will definitely groom the personality and discipline the soul.” Says Atanu Lahiri, the Joint Secretaty,All India Chess Federation & General Secretary,Bengal Chess Association.
The guest for the day, Deboshree Bhattacharyya also opines her heartfelt wishes to the girls playing the sport and praised the associations involved in the initiative.
The tournament started with a brimming number of players which shall end on 1st July followed by the prize distribution celebration which has a cash prize fund of Rs. 70,000.
