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Chess in Maharashtra has a long, rich and honorable history. History books mention that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his Mother, Jijabai Played a game of chess. The tradition continued even in the rule of The Peshwas
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It is said that one of the three and half wise men, Sakharam Bapu, used a game of chess to suggest a political move, to Bhonsale of Nagpur. A pandit in court of Bajirao second, wrote a book, 'Vilasmani Manjiri', on the opining moves in chess.
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An expert from outside the Kolhapur state, came to the court of the ruler, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj and threw a challenge to defeat him in chess. Maharaj ordered Bandambhat,of Haripur in Sangali district, to accept the challenge. He accepted the challenge and defeated the expert not only once or twice, but 10 times. Jubilant over the victory of Bandambhat, the Maharaj gave him Rs 500 in cash and clothes of honor. Even Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak was an expert chess player. Saint Vasudevanand Saraswati (Tembe Swami) was a good chess player.
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In Maharashtra, the first chess Association, though on small level, was formed in 1921. It was known as South Maharashtra Chess Club. In formation of this club, Govindrao Padasaldikar, Vinayakrao Khadilkar, Gopalrao Mujumdar, Tammna Kale, and Stamp Vendor Apate took the initiative. Vinayakrao Khadilkar was the first player to visit foreign country. After that Dr. V. N Desai organized chess competitions at Sangali Gymkhana in 1922, 23 & 24. The Sangali Chess Society was established in 1930 by Tamannacharya Padasalgikar, Dadasaheb Gadgil and Vishnupant Rajwade.
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In 1941, Nutan Buddhibal Mandal was formed in Sangali. Which is still in existence. The Southern Maratha Country Chess Association came into existence in the year 1955. Looking at the growth of the game in Bombay Province, the first Chess body, Known as Bombay Chess Association was established in 1944.
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The open Chess tournaments started in city since 1945.
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Then in 1950, All India Chess federation was started in Mumbai. And it held a tournament at National Level for five years after words in Mumbai . The first Inter State Championship was held in 1960.
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In 1963, the Bombay Chess Association and Southern Maratha Country Chess Association took a decision to merge. The unified state Association was known as Maharashtra Chess Association.
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The game was kept alive by few enthusiasts like Ramji Menan, Rambhau Sapare, V. V. Vad, M.K. Gawande, Bilimoria, Samat, Gupte, Ratnakar, And Shrikrishna Sakhalkar.
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The first selection and championship tournament was organized in 1968 at Sangli. Players from Mumbai, Pune, and sangli were participated in it. Vidharbha and Marathwada Chess Association were affiliated to Maharashtra Chess Association.
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The game was kept alive by few enthusiasts like Ramji Menan, Rambhau Sapre, V. V. Vad, M.K. Gawande, Biliomoria, Samat, Gupte, Ratnakar, Prof. U.A. Gaulkar and Shrikrishna Sakhalkar.
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The first selection and championship tournament was organized in 1968 at Sangli. Players from Mumbai, Pune, and sangli were participated in it. Vidharbha and Marathwada Chess Association were affiliated to Maharashtra Chess Association.
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The game was organized on association level in Marathawada By Prof U. A. Gaulkar, Advocate Kashinath Navandar, Popatbhai Patel, Vijay Dabadgaonkar and Vijay Deshpande while in Vidharbha by Advocate Arvind Bade. In Pune, B. L. Gokhale, Shankarrao Jogalekar, Govindrao Khare, and Ashok Khare helped the growth of Chess. The contribution of Bhausaheb Padsalgikar, in Sangali, deserves a special mention.
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Even if the work of Maharashtra Chess Assiontion had already started, the association was registered in Pune, Only in the year 1978. The Persons who Contributed largly in the efforts, were Babasaheb Gokhale Pune, Arvind Bade Nagapur, Bhausaheb Pedsalikar Sangali and Shrikrishna Sakhalkar Mumbai, as well as Ramchandra Sapre Mumbai. Since then the work of the association is going on Smoothly.
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| All the districts in state are affiliated to the Maharashtra Chess Association. Their affiliation is as follows : |
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| Mumbai :
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Mumbai, Thane.
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| Pune :
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Pune, Nashik, Raigad, Dhule, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon,
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Nandurbar.
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| Southern :
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Sangali, Solapur, Kolhapur, Satara, Sindhudurga, Ratnagiri.
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| Marathwada :
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Aurangabad, Jalna, Parbhani, Nanded, Latur,
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Osmanabad, Beed, Hingoli.
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| Vidharbha :
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Nagpur, Chandrapur, Amarvati, Bhandara, Gondia,
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Vashim, Akola, Buldhana, Wardha, Gadchiroli, Yavatmal.
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| The Secretaris of the five regions are
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| Mumbai :
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P.B.Bhilare, Mumbai
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| Pune :
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Faruk Shaikh, Jalgaon
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| Southern :
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Sanjay Kedge, Sangli
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| Marathwada :
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Vijay Deshpande, Aurangabad
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| Vidharbha :
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R.N. Shrivas, Nagpur
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| The former secretary of Maharashtra chess Association snice its foundation here:
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| 1978 to 1979
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Adv. Arvind Bade,Nagpur.
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| 1979 to 1981 :
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Bhausaheb Padsalgikar,Sangali.
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| 1981 to 1983:
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late Abhay Agarwal, Gondia.
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| 1983 to 1985 :
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Abhay Thipase, Mumbai.
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| 1985 to 1987 :
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Bhausaheb Padsalgikar,Sangali
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| 1987 to 1989 :
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Pranshankar Pandya,Mumbai.
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| 1989 to 1991:
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Moreshwar Bhagawat,Mumbai.
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| 1991 to 1993 :
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Avinash Awate, Mumbai.
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| 1993 to 1995 :
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Moreshwar Bhagawat,Mumbai
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| 1995 to 1997 :
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Ravindra Dongre, Mumbai.
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| 997 to 1999:
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Ravindra Dongre, Mumbai.
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| 1999 to 2001 :
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Avinash Awate, Mumbai
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| 2001 to 2003 :
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Sanjay Kedge Sangali
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| 2003 to 2006 :
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Sanjay Kedge Sangali.
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2006 to 2008 :
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Vijay Deshpande, Aurangabad.
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2008 to 2010 : |
T. N. Bahadure, Nagpur |
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2010 to till date |
Vijay Deshpande, Aurangabad |
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The election are held every two years and office bearers are elected. The office of the associations is located at the town, where the secretary resides. Throughout the year the Association organizes competitions on State, National and International level. The teams are selected for national competitions. The Selected players are provided expences. The Association is affiliated to All India Chess Federation (AICF) and at present Mr. Ravindra Dongre is its vice-presedent while Mr. Vijay Deshpande is the ex-officio members of managing committee. Mr. Dongre is also the the Deputy President of Commonwealth Chess Assosiaton (CCA) . There are many players who have achieved international ratings. Besides Pravin Thipsey from Mumbai and Abhijit Kunte from Pune are two Grandmasters.and Swati Ghate is Woman Grandmaster. Chess players from state always take part in international and national tournaments and win prizes.
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The elections are held every two years and office bearers are elected. The office of the associations is located at the town, where the secretary resides. Throughout the year the Association organizes competitions on State, National and International level. The teams are selected for national competitions. The Selected players are provided expenses. The Association is affiliated to All India Chess Federation (AICF) and at present Mr. Ravindra Dongre is its vice-president while Mr. Vijay Deshpande is the ex-officio members of managing committee. Mr. Dongre is also the Deputy President of Commonwealth Chess Assosiaton (CCA) . There are many players who have achieved international ratings. Besides Pravin Thipsey from Mumbai and Abhijit Kunte from Pune are two Grandmasters. And Swati Ghate is Woman Grandmaster. Chess players from state always take part in international and national tournaments and win prizes.
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The State Govt. also recognizes the contribution of Chess Coaches and Organizers by awarding them Chhatrapati and Dadoji Kondev awards.
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