Patna: The two-day Postal Rapid Chess Tournament, organised by the Bihar Postal Chess Academy under the aegis of the All Bihar Chess Association and sponsored by the Postal Department, commenced with an exciting start. After three rounds, the top 12 seeded players are jointly leading the standings.

This year’s tournament is particularly engaging with the participation of former and current chess masters, including 33 rated players, making for a competitive field. All seeded players advanced to the next round with victories in their respective matches today. The tournament has attracted 135 participants from 15 districts across Bihar.

The tournament was inaugurated by Bihar’s Chief Postmaster General, Anil Kumar, who made the ceremonial first moves with young players on the chessboard. The event also saw attendance from the Postal Department’s Director, Pawan Kumar, and All Bihar Chess Association Secretary, Dharmendra Kumar. In his address, Chief Postmaster General Anil Kumar expressed the Postal Department’s commitment to promoting chess in the state, highlighting that they are not only recruiting chess players but also operating a chess academy in partnership with the All Bihar Chess Association to provide regular training for young talent.

The opening ceremony was graced by senior officials, including Manish Kumar, Senior Postal Superintendent, Patna Division; Naveen Kumar, Assistant Director (BD), Circle Office, Patna; former Secretary of the All Bihar Chess Association, Ajit Kumar Singh; and Chief Arbiter Alok Priyadarshi, alongside arbiters Priyanka Kumari, Manish Kumar, and Vijay Kumar. Tournament Director Shashi Nand Kumar conducted the programme, while Sohan Kumar, Coordinator of the Postal Cultural Centre, offered the vote of thanks.