Correspondent
KOHIMA, APRIL 14
The 14th Nagaland State ‘A’ Chess Premier got underway here at the conference hall of Red Cross Society Complex, Kohima on Monday. Twenty chess players from Dimapur, Kohima, Zunheboto, Phek and Peren districts will be vying for the premier title. Of these, twelve are the top players of the recently concluded Nagaland State Chess Open Challenger 2014, four top players who had represented the state at the national levels in 2013 and four donors.
State mission director Rashtriya Madhyamik Abhiyan, Thejao Vihienuo, one of the founding members of the Nagaland Chess Association (NCA), graced the inaugural function of the tournament as the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest lauded the pioneers of the game in Nagaland and those who relentlessly brought the NCA to the position it holds today. He acknowledged that chess is not an income generating sport particularly for a state like Nagaland, where chess playing is still in a nascent stage. Nevertheless, he expressed enthusiasm that the game is gradually gaining more popularity over the years. Pointing out the advantages of the game, Vihienuo said chess is one such game that helps the player to develop decision making, planning, critical and analytical thinking and also improves the concentration, memory, intuition and self control of a person among many other aspects. Because of the game’s contribution to the personality of the players, today chess is finding its way to the school curricula, he stated.
Towards this, he called upon the NCA to conduct school level chess competitions to encourage young students to take up the game so that they may develop their creativity, independent imagination and confidence.
He also commended Mugaho Awomi who has won twice in the National Open Championships (2010 and 2011) representing the state, and expressed hope that he will continue to strive to achieve an international master mark in the near future.
The top four winners of this championship will be representing Nagaland at various national and north east level competitions this year. The tournament will conclude on April 17.
