Asian Schools Championship – Indian players dominate
12/28/2011 – Is there a stronger word than "dominate"? Of the 570 players in the fray over 400 were from India, and the dominance of the subcontinent was demonstrated on the result sheet: Indian participants won a total of 33 of the 36 medals at stake (one player, Sanskruti Wankhede, scored 7.0/7 in the U5 section). Our reporter Praful Zaveri sees a shift towards a chess playing nation.
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A shift towards a 'chess playing nation!'
Report from New Delhi by Praful Zaveri
It is amazing how one person has changed the nation's perspective towards chess! This is what World Chess Champion, Vishy Anand has done for the the game in India! The country has taken to chess like never before, and this was evident at the Asian Schools Chess Championship 2011, which was hosted by the Delhi Chess Association at the picturesque Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
The playing venue – Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium
Of the 570 players who had aspired to become the Asian School Champion, 400+ players were from India – a shift towards a 'chess playing nation!'
This was also reflected in the result sheet, as the Indian participants won a total of 33 (11 Gold, 12 Silver and 10 Bronze) of the 36 medals at stake! Apart from open sections of Under-5 and Under-7, India made clean sweep in all the remaining categories.
The credit for this show goes to the dynamic Secretary General of the All India Chess Federation, Bharat Singh, whose efforts of hosting international Chess events in Delhi has helped India in performing better and better.
Frantic preparation on the lawn before the start of a round
While there were excellent performance by all the winners in the six categories, the most notable performance was displayed by four-and-a-half-year Sanskruti Wankhede from India, who made a clean sweep of the Under-5 section (chess is getting younger and younger!) with a score of 7.0/7!
Sanskruti Wankhede – the next wonder-girl from India?
With a rival before the start of a game
Winning such an event had not sunk to this girl, who must be wondering why the hordes of photographers are snapping her pictures. In fact, she was disappointed that she only got a small medal, whereas she was expecting a big trophy!
Medal Winners
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A Krgyz player with the traditional hat
Secretary General of the All India Chess Federation, Bharat Singh,
and FIDE General Secretary & Delegate Hisham Al-Taher look on
Here are some unidentified players – our readers will surely supply the names?!
The chief guest for closing ceremony was Mr. Desh Deepak Verma IAS, Director General Sports Authority of India and Mr. Hisham Al-Taher, General Secretary Asian Chess Federation. The other dignitaries who give away the prizes were Mr. Luxman Wijesuriya, Vice President Sri Lankan Chess Federation and Shri. Husan H Turdialiev, Co-Chairman of Chess Federation of Uzbekistan.
At Raj
Ghat, where the 'Father of the Nation' Gandhiji rests
Our author Praful Zaveri at 'India
Gate'
