Sikkim player and arbiter leave for international Chess tournament in New Delhi

GANGTOK, 12 Jan: International Arbiter from Sikkim, Mahendra Dhakal, and a young FIDE Rated chess player of Sikkim, Rakesh Gurung, have left for New Delhi to participate in the prestigious 10th Parsvnath International Chess Tournament 2012 scheduled to be held from 14 to 23 January.
This chess tournament is among the few norm tournaments for International Master and Grand Master. [Norms can only be gained in tournaments that fulfill FIDE's strict criteria; for instance, an International Arbiter must be officiating and the entry must include at least three GM titled players from different countries playing over a minimum of nine rounds, with no less than 120 minutes thinking time per round. There are a number of other more minor stipulations].
Rakesh will take part in the tournament as a player, while Mr Dhakal will serve the tournament as an arbiter.
Speaking to NOW!, before leaving for the tournament, Mr Dhakal informed that it is a prestigious tournament and popular Asian norms chess tournament and nearly 50 countries are expected to take part in the tournament.
He informed that Rakesh is taking part in this tournament for the first time and it will be a big exposure for him and even a good opportunity to improve his FIDE rating although it is a tough competition with mostly rated players participating.
“It is a great opportunity for the player as well as for the arbiter to be a part of this prestigious tournament,” Mr Dhakal said.
Speaking on the recently concluded North-East FIDE Rating Chess Tournament, he said a total of 63 chess players mainly children represented Sikkim in the tournament and the state players performed well in their categories.
He informed that the state has won 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals in the tournament and shown a vast improvement in the game in comparison to the last edition of the tournament. He also mentioned that all other participating states highly appreciated the performance of Sikkim players.
Mr Dhakal informed that in the tournament with an improved performance, Rakesh Gurung has improved his rating from1762 to 05 and Sushmita Lama has completed her rating performance which will qualify her for a spot in the rating. He further informed that Rahul Gurung, Suraj Subba, Durga Sharma, Jonah Lepcha, Zigdel Denzongpa and Priyanka Gurung have been included in partial rating this time.
“FIDE rating is an identity for a chess player and the number of FIDE rated players shows the progress of chess in the state, so it is a big achievement for Sikkim to have FIDE rating players now,” he concluded.