The Nagpur International Below 1600 FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2022 got inaugurated at the hands of Pravin Datke, MLC at BRA Mundle Hall, Near Deekshabhumi, Nagpur.
Floral Welcome of Chief Guest and other dignitaries was done by Bhushan was, Secretary Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation and Chess Association Nagpur.
Two City Chess Stars WGM Divya Deshmukh and GM Sankalp Gupta were also present on the occasion. The event was inaugurated by the dignitaries including GM Sankalp and WGM Divya by playing Chess moves on the Chess Board. During the Inauguration event, Current National Women Champion WGM Divya Deshmukh and GM Sankalp Gupta, the two chess prodigies of Nagpur City were felicitated for their spectacular performance in 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad.
WGM Divya Deshmukh had earned Individual Bronze Medal for the country on Fifth Board in the recently concluded 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad at Chennai (Mahabalipuram). GM Sankalp Gupta contributed immensely to his India-1 Team as Assistant Coach.
GM Raunak Sadhwani too earned a Team Bronze Medal in the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad for his team India-2, however, due to pre-occupied engagements, he could not attend the felicitation ceremony. The program was compered by S.S. Soman who also proposed vote of thanks.
The tournament is being organized by Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation at BRA Mundle Hall, Near Deekshabhumi, from August 14 to 16. The event is recognized by the Chess Association Nagpur, MCA, AICF and FIDE. The tournament is being conducted in Classical Format having 9 rounds.
The tournament has attracted around 480 entries from various states of India. Promodraj Moree, IA is the Chief Arbiter for the event who is being Assisted by Deputy Arbiter FA Pravin Thakre, FA Shubham Soni, SNA Amit Tembhurne, SNA Swati Kumbhalkar, SNA Devrath Tiwari, SNA Sudhashu Gaidhane, SNA Sagar Sakhare ably supported by Prayas Ambade, Amit Bhongasre, Prathamesh Machave and Deep Juare.
Girish Vyas, Ex-MLC and Vice President of Maharashtra Chess Association, Sanjay Bhende, Chairman, Nagpur Nagrik Sahakari Bank & Vice President, State BJP, Dr. Upendra Kothekar, Organizing Secretary, BJP Vidarbha, Adv. A.A. Bade, Shivchhatrapati Awardee in Chess Organisation, T.N. Bahadure, Ex-Secretary, MCA graced the occasion. Bhushan was (Secretary) Of Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation along with organising Committee consisting of S.S. Soman, Prayas Ambade, Amit Tembhurne, Amit Bhongare and Prathamesh Machave along with officials of Chess Association Nagpur are working hard for success of the event.