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.

Santanu Borpatra is the new NE FIDE-rated chess champ

NORTH EAST FIDE RATING CHESS TOURNAMENT CONCLUDES
GANGTOK, 10 Jan: Santanu Borpatra Gohain of Assam emerged the champion of the 5th edition of the North East FIDE Rating Chess Tournament which concluded here at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium today. Santanu scored eight and half points in 10 rounds to beat defending champion, Rajkumar Apollosana Mangang, of Manipur, who stood on the second position with eight points, and Nabachandra Th Singh of Manipur came in third, also with eight points.
The concluding day included the prize distribution ceremony which had Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, KN Rai, as the chief guest.
As for the rest of the rankings- Rk Bhogen Singh and Bangkim Singh of Manipur stood on fourth and fifth places, followed by Rahul Soram Singh, Madhab Sharma, Rajib Dhar, Trailokya Nanda and Sanajaoba Irengbam.
Sikkim players could not break into the top-20 position of the main event, but performed impressively in other categories. In U-10 [Boys], Rahul Gurung won gold, while Priya Chettri won a bronze medal in U-10 girls.  Shreya Sharma won a silver medal in U-13 [Girls].
In U-15 [Boys], the top-3 positions were secured by Sikkim with Rakesh Gurung taking the gold followed by Mukul Gurung with a silver and Thendup Tamang snaring the bronze.
Among the girls in this category, the gold was won by Pushpa Gurung who was joined by fellow Sikkimese Supriya Rai who took the bronze.
In U-19 [Girls], Susmita Lama won a bronze medal for the State.
In his address, the chief guest congratulated the organizers on the tournament and remarked that the participation was heartening to see with chess enthusiasts from 7 to 76 years old competing in the tournament.
In his tournament report, the Chief Arbiter, Dharmendra Kumar, informed that a total of 157 players, including 48 FIDE Rated players, participated in the tournament from all the eight north-eastern states. He also highlighted that the tournament was a first of its kind in that no player left the game and played all the rounds.
Sikkim Chess Association [SCA] president, HS Sharma, in turn expressed gratitude towards all north-eastern chess associations for their participations and to the All India Chess Federation for the support and cooperation towards making the tournament a success.
The ceremony started with the welcome address by SCA co-ordinator, PL Sharma and concluded with the vote of thanks by SCA general secretary, Mahendra Dhakal. The week-long championship was organized by the Sikkim Chess Association [SCA] in collaboration with AICF and co-sponsored by SDF Bhawan Trust and Roads and Bridges Department.

NE FIDE Rating Chess tourney to conclude on Tuesday

ASSAM AND MANIPUR IN LEAD SO FAR
GANGTOK, 09 Jan: The eighth and ninth rounds of the ongoing 5th edition of North East FIDE Rating Chess Tournament were held here at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium on Monday.
After completion of the 8th round this afternoon, Rajib Dhar, Trailokya Nanda and Santanu Borpatra Gohain of Assam and Khumukchan Sanjoy Singh, Rk Bhogen Singh and Y Dhanabir Singh of Manipur have taken the lead in the tournament with six and a half points each.

North East FIDE Rating Chess tourney gets underway

GANGTOK, 05 Jan: The 5th edition of North East FIDE Rating Chess Tournament was inaugurated by the Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary, Karma P Bhutia, at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium today.
The week-long championship is being organized by the Sikkim Chess Association [SCA] in collaboration with AICF and co-sponsored by SDF Bhawan Trust along with the Roads and Bridges Department.