Patna: The Bihar State Junior Chess Championship, organized by the Gaya District Chess Association under the aegis of the All Bihar Chess Association, kicked off on Saturday. Held at Parvati Garden auditorium in Dumuhan, Bodh Gaya, the event has drawn over 100 players from across the state, including around 20 FIDE-rated competitors.
On the championship’s opening day, all rated and senior players won their first-round matches. Dedicated to the memory of Dashrath Manjhi, the tournament will feature seven rounds in the boys’ category and five rounds in the girls’ category.
The championship was inaugurated by Gaya District Sports Officer Naresh Kumar, All India Chess Federation Treasurer Dharmendra Kumar, and All Bihar Chess Association President Diljeet Khanna, who each played a game with the attending players.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr. Satyendra Kumar, Rohit Raj, Paritosh Kumar, Bablu Kumar, Rahul Kumar, Uttam Raj, Ratan Kumar, and Pramod Kumar, who encouraged the organizers and participants. JP Sinha, President of the Gaya District Chess Association, Secretary Santosh Kumar, and Chief Arbiter Nand Kishore Srivastava were also present.
Participants from various government schools in the Gaya district, including Crane Memorial, Poddar International, DPS, DAV Cantt Area, and Kilkari, are competing in the championship. The tournament winners will go on to represent Bihar in the national competition in Haryana.