Patna: The 4th Balkeshwar Prasad Memorial Open Chess Championship began today at Deshratna Rajendra Prasad Auditorium, Bihar Vidyapeeth, Sadakat Ashram here. The tournament is being organised jointly by MVP Chess Club and Bihar Vidyapeeth (DRPSPM), Patna.
In the day’s matches, Piyush Raj defeated Kautilya Balaji, Vishuddha Nischal defeated Kishan Kumar, Vishnudev defeated Kishalaya Kashyap, Akarsh Jayanandan defeated Mukesh Kumar, Kartikeya Nandan defeated Nilay Dayal, Parth defeated Aarush while in the girls section, top seed Minki Sinha defeated Neetu Kumari, Pammi Rani defeated Nutan Kumari, Priya Rani defeated Princee Sunita and Rinku Kumari defeated Anjali Kumari.
Earlier, the three-day chess tournament was inaugurated by Bihar Industry Minister Samir Kumar Mahaseth by lighting the lamp and playing chess. Addressing the players he said that players who play chess are mentally healthy as well as skilled in all tasks. Chess needs to be encouraged from school to college level. Chess game can play an important role in the all-round development of children.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Vijay Prakash, President of Bihar Vidyapeeth. The special guest was Dharmendra Kumar, Secretary of All Bihar Chess Association. While the guests of honour were Bihar State Ball Badminton Association Secretary Gouri Shankar, Director Dr Mridula Prakash and Principal Dr Poonam Verma. The guests were welcomed by Vedprakash, secretary of MVP Chess Club and Mitali Mitra proposed a vote of thanks.
