With highest ever participation in a national level event from Jammu, the International Rating Chess Fiesta got underway at the campus of IDPS School, Sainik Colony, here today.

Carrying a Rs two lakh cash prizes, the nine-round event, under FIDE Laws of Chess under Swiss system, declared open jointly by Legislator, Devyani Rana and Commissioner Secretary Youth Services and Sports, J&K, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary.

The ceremonial move took place between Rana and Shahid Choudhary in the presence of police officer (SSP), Sheikh Zulfkar Azad, Suminder Singh (MD IDPS), Arunima Choudhary (MD IDPS), Atul Kumar Gupta (Chairman Planning and Development Commission of AICF) and Meenal Gupta (president All J&K Chess Association.

With highest ever 90 participants from J&K only, the event attracted a total participation of120 from nine states. “The event offers a rare opportunity to those unrated players, who get a chance to achieve FIDE Ratings in this event, depending upon their performance in this nine-round event,” informed Meenal Gupta.

The event is being organized by Jammu District Chess Association in collaboration with Premier Chess Academy USA and IDPS School.

Supported by a five-member qualified team, the International Arbiter, Varun Kumar has been appointed chief arbiter for the event.

Earlier, the opening day witnessed first round of the event, followed two rounds scheduled for tomorrow with first starting at 9.30 am.

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