The Bengal Chess Association has officially announced the launch of preparations for the first-ever CFC Chess Olympiad (Chess for Change) to be held in West Bengal. The announcement was made by FIDE Trainer and President of the Bengal Chess Association, Atanu Lahiri, during the International Chess Day Rapid Chess Tournament held at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra. The one-day tournament, jointly organised by the BJP Sports Cell, West Bengal Chapter and the Bengal Chess Association, witnessed the participation of nearly 400 young chess players from 15 districts across the state, making it one of the largest grassroots chess events organised on International Chess Day in Bengal.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by West Bengal Industries Minister Tapas Roy, Labour Minister Bhaskar Bhattacharya, 2018 Asian Games Bridge gold medallist Pranab Bardhan, and Dipankar Modak, Head of the BJP Sports Cell, West Bengal. Addressing the gathering, Labour Minister Bhaskar Bhattacharya said that the state government would work in collaboration with the Bengal Chess Association to strengthen the standard of chess and create better opportunities for chess players across West Bengal. Winners in the Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, and Under-15 categories, both boys and girls, were felicitated with trophies and cash prizes.
Speaking on the occasion, Atanu Lahiri revealed that the CFC Chess Olympiad is scheduled to be held in November this year. The initiative will primarily focus on providing competitive opportunities to children from underprivileged sections of society. In its inaugural edition, participation will be prioritised for players from the Eastern India, with the objective of promoting chess at the grassroots level and encouraging inclusive sporting development. The International Chess Day tournament received strong support from Merlin Group, the principal sponsor of the event.
Saket Mohta, Managing Director of Merlin Group, said, “Merlin Group has always supported sporting initiatives that contribute to the holistic development of children. Chess is one such discipline that nurtures concentration, discipline, and strategic thinking, and we are proud to be associated with this initiative.” The successful organisation of the tournament and the announcement of the CFC Chess Olympiad mark an important step towards expanding the reach of chess in Eastern India and creating greater opportunities for aspiring young players.
