Mangalore: South Kanara District Chess Association is conducting Indian Overseas Bank 5th Mangalore International Open Fide Rated Chess Tournament was inaugurated at Radhakrishna Temple Hall, GT Road, Mangalore from July 16, Saturday.
Delivering the introductory speech on the occasion, M S Gururaj, president of South Kanara District Chess Association said that the association which is four and half year old has organized many competition for the chess lovers. Further he quit the post of president from the association and hand over to others, since he has been elected as the president of United Karnataka Chess Association.
He also said that, since this is the 5th year, the association is offering the cash prize of Rs 5,55,555 to the winners.
M R Vasudev, director of Mangalore Airport said that said that SKDCA is doing a good job by organizing such tournaments in Mangalore. Earlier too it has conducted a series of tournament and in these seven days tournament, lakhs of moves will take place by the players, he said.
Justice Ajaynath Roy , chairman of Human Rights Commission, Sikkim said that chess is game of friendship and it is happy to see a large number of participants playing their game under one roof.
India’s chess grandmaster Pravin Thipsay was felicitated on the occasion.
Around 444 Players across the country as well overseas participated in this event. There will be 11 rounds of 2 hours each and the tournament will be conducted as per latest Fide rules.
MB Puranik of Vishwa Hindu Parishad welcomed the guests and gathering.  Ashwini compered the programme.
Anil from Indian Overseas Bank, Raghavendra, secretary of the association, Rajashekar , IPS from Nagaland, P Jayaram Bhat, managing director of Karnataka Bank and others were present on the dais.