All the right moves: State Chess Premier underway

KOHIMA, JUNE 14: The 15th Nagaland State ‘A’ Chess Premier championship got underway on Tuesday under the aegis of Nagaland Chess Association (NCA) at the Red Cross Complex, Kohima. 20 top chess players of the state will be vying in the tournament for the top four slots to represent the state at the regional and national level competitions. Parliamentary Secretary for Fire & Emergency Services, Toyang Changkong Chang who inaugurated the tournament, said there is a common misconception of the discipline of chess as a game for “old or extraordinarily genius people”. This “gentlemen’s game”, he said, is a form of good mind exercise and should be encouraged to be played by all. Maintaining that the body works in tandem with the mind and brain cells are said to deteriorate when there is no active exercise of the mind, the young politician stated that chess, as a brainstorming game, ought to be taken up by both young and old persons.He also said he is happy to learn that many Nagas have taken up the game to a professional level, representing Nagaland at different platforms and bringing laurels to the state. NCA president K Sekhamo in his address said that despite the challenges, the association faces in the state, particularly in the funding aspect, players and enthusiasts have consistently kept the sport alive and the NCA was able to produce 15 international Elo rated players from the state so far. He also stated that due to the positive attributes of the game of chess to the individual mind, it is gaining popularity in many advanced countries as well as different major states of India. The sport also has been introduced to the school curriculum. The official informed that the NCA organizes two tournaments annually- the Nagaland State Open Challenger and State ‘A’ Chess Premier. Of the 20 players who are to compete in the current tournament, he said 16 of them were the top players selected from this year’s State Open Challenger and four top players from the previous State ‘A’ Chess Premier. The players include three-time national open championship winner Mughaho Awomi, Kevilekho Zumvu, Melesayi Dawhuo, Kughaho Kiho, Sukhavi Achumi, Tokuho Awomi, Hekugha Heka Yeptho, Neikehiezo Zinyu, Visanyuzo Koutsu, Toikhu Awomi, Vekukho Soho, Ketholelie Nisa, Setso Peseyie, Sede Nagi, Y Vizheto Shohe, Viseyie Yano, Denis Angami, Bovito Yeputho, Helie Rupreo and Thepfuchalie Mere. The tournament would conclude on June 17.