Chess, one of the oldest board games, has been a favourite game for Indians for centuries. It has unfortunately not received the media attention and encouragement it deserves even though an Indian Viswanath Anand, holds the world crown. Yet, it has not dampened the enthusiasm of those who love and follow the game and it is for this reason that India continues to produce young players, both men and women, of international stature. It is time that society recognizes and honours the admirable spirit of players who have taken the game forward by their contribution and made it an agreeable experience for large number of people.

 

Abdul Jabbar, a veteran of long standing from Nagpur was born in 1949. He possessed a natural talent for the game and started playing chess when he was barely 10 years old. By the time he was 20, he was already participating in National B Championship. He soon stamped his class and was ranked 6th in National A Championship at Ahmedabad in 1973 and occupied the 5th rank next year in Championship held at Rourkela in 1974. His exploits won him due recognition and he became the first chess player from Maharashtra to receive the Chhatrapati Award in 1974. He was the undisputed number one player in early seventies having won the Maharashtra State Championship for 3 consecutive years in 1975, 1976 and 1977 held at Mumbai, Gondia and Aurangabad respectively. His remarkable achievements include 2 wins and a draw against past national champion and 1st International Master from India, Mr. Manual Aaron.

 

Abdul Jabbar made his mark in the game in spite of a humble background and strained financial circumstances. His love for chess and qualities of grit and perseverance not only won him accolades in due course but also enriched the game. Abdul Jabbar earns his living by working as a peon in Nagpur Municipal Corporation and is on the verge of retirement. Sports bodies and organizations created to promote the game of chess, owe it to distinguished players like Abdul Jabbar an acknowledgement that goes beyond the usual citation and trophy, something of tangible value that provides support to him and his family. It is therefore that we are holding this tournament for the benefit of Abdul Jabbar and the entire amount collected by way of entry fees will be passed on to him. This is the 1st occasion that a benefit tournament is being held for a chess player and we appeal to all the chess players, organizations and lovers of the game to come forward and make generous contribution for the purpose. We hope it will lend the much-needed encouragement to new breed of players and attract them to the game in large numbers.

 

Appeal : All the Chess Organizations and Players of Maharashtra are requested to come forward for the benefit of this great player by participating and/or by contribution to the benefit fund.

 

Being the benefit tournament Maharashtra Chess Association and Vidarbha Chess Association waived recognition fee amounting to Rs. 20,000.00 which will be added to the benefit fund.

 

Organization : Nagpur District Chess Association in association with Nagpur Chess Academy under the auspices of Maharashtra Chess Association will be conducting Abdul Jabbar Benefit Maharashtra State FIDE Rating Chess Championship 2008. The tournament is recognized by AICF, MCA and Vidarbha Chess Association.

 

Venue : Gulmohar Hall, Khamla Square, Khamla Road, Nagpur.

Date : From 8th to 14th June 2008.

Tournament Schedule : -

Arrival : 8th June 2008.

Inauguration & Player’s meeting : 8th June 2008 at 10.00 a.m.

                                                        Followed by player’s meeting.

Pairing of Lots : 8th June 1.00 p.m.

1st Round - 08.06.2008 2.00 p.m.

2nd & 3rd Round - 09.06.2008 8.30 a.m. & 4.00 p.m.

4th Round – 10.06.2008 8.30 a.m.

5th & 6th Round – 11.06.2008 8.30 a.m. & 4.00 p.m.

7th Round – 12.06.2008 8.30 a.m.

8th & 9th Round – 13.06.2008 8.30 a.m. & 4.00 p.m.

10th Round - 14.06.2008 8.30 a.m.

Prize Distribution ceremony – 6.00 p.m. Departure – 14.06.2008 Evening 8.00 p.m.

 

Lodging :

Lodging will be provided to every participant. All other accompanying persons should make own arrangements for their stay. Parents accompanying child players can be accommodated by paying extra charges. Special accommodation to all Title Holder players.

 

Reporting : All the players are requested to report at M.L.A. Hostel, Civil Lines, Nagpur.

Entry Fee : Rs. 750.00 for outstation players Rs. 500.00 for Nagpur City Players.

 

Registration of Players :

All the participants in the Championship should get their names registered with Maharashtra Chess Association (Registration Fee Rs. 100/-). Registration forms are available at the venue. For Vidarbha Players Rs. 150.00 (MCA Rs. 100.00 + VCA Rs. 50.00). For Nagpur District Players Rs. 175.00 (MCA Rs. 100.00 + VCA Rs. 50.00+NDCA Rs. 25.00). AICF registration fee of Rs. 250.00 for the year 2008, if already paid proof should be submitted at the time of submitting entry fee.

 

Last Date of entry fee : 31-05-2008.

 

Late Fee :

Entries received after 31.05.2008 will be subject to a late fee of Rs. 200/- per player. However no entry will be entertained after the stipulated final registration date (08.06.2008).

 

Entries should be sent by draft favouring “Nagpur District Chess Association” payable at Nagpur to : -

 

K. K. Barat,

Secretary,

Nagpur District Chess Association,

Plot No. 178, Tikekar Road,

Dhantoli,

NAGPUR – 440 012

Mobile : 9822936659

 

All the funds collected through Entry Fees will be credited in Abdul Jabbar’s Account.

 

Prizes : Cash Prizes will be as under. No prize will be shared.

 

1st	51,000.00	2nd	40,000.00
3rd	30,000.00	4th	20,000.00
5th	15,000.00	6th	10,000.00
7th	8,000.00	8th	6,000.00
9th	4,000.00	10th	3,000.00
11th to 20th	1,500.00 each	21st to 30th	Rs. 1,000.00 each
Best Veteran Rs. 1,000.00
Best Lady     Rs. 1,000.00
Best players Under : - : 7 / 9 / 11 / 13 / 15 : 2 Boys and 2 Girls in each category Rs. 1,000.00 each
Special prizes in every round for best win with White and Black, and Best fighting Draw and lost (both colours). Note : One player will get special prize once in the tournament.

 

Tournament Committee : Two members from every division and Secretary and two members of the host Association.

System of Play : The championship will be played under the laws of chess and FIDE and Swiss system. Totally ten rounds shall be played unless otherwise decided by the Tournament Committee before the commencement of the championship.

Session : The Championship shall be played as per the FIDE laws of chess. Ten rounds shall be played in all. The rate of play shall be 40 moves in the first 75 minutes, 15 minutes for the remainder of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move from move 1 (or in the absence of DGTs 40 moves in 90 minutes and 30 minutes for the remaining moves). Changes in these timings or the number of rounds shall be announced by the Chief Arbiter at the start of the first round.

Chess Clock : Each participant is requested to bring their Chess Clock for smooth conduction of tournament.

Tiebreak : Latest tie breaking rules will be applied. (The sum of progressive scores, if still tied, deduction of first round score, and if necessary, second round score, and so on. If the tie still remains unbroken, then the placing will be decided by toss).

For Further Details Please Contact :

1. Mr. S. N. Parkhi, Secretary, Jt. Secretary, N.D.C.A., M. No. 9422121274.

2. IM Mr. Anup Deshmukh, M. No. 9422950242.

3. Mr. Dipak Patrikar, Treasurer, N.D.C.A., M. No. 9423678172.

4. Mr. Umesh Panbude, Coach Nagpur Chess Academy, M. No. 9822721386.

 

 

Manoj Itkelwar                                                                            Kalyan Kumar Barat

   President                                                                                           Secretary 

   NDCA                                                                                                NDCA