Date:31/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/31/stories/2007073161852200.htm

Sport - Chess

Adyar Times tournament begins today

Arvind Aaron

Chennai: Record two-time winner R. Balasubramaniun of ICF, who had to withdraw last year at the last minute, is among the five international masters who would be competing in the seventh edition of the Adyar Times New Millennium FI DE rated open chess tournament beginning at the Bapalal Bhavan, Thiruvanmiyur in south Chennai on Tuesday.

The other four International Masters in the fray are G.B. Prakash, N. Sudhakar Babu (both Indian Bank), R.R. Laxman and M. Shyam Sundar. Balasubramaniun will be looking for his third title. It is significant that no other player has been able to win this contest more than once.

Adyar Times is the sponsor for this Rs.80,000 prize fund 10-round contest. S. Paul Arokia Raj of Madras Port Trust is the head arbiter.

The 207-player field announced by the organisers Tamil Nadu State Chess Association (TNSCA) includes some talents like National under-17 champion P. Saravanakrishnan, World under-8 bronze medal winner M. Mahalakshmi.

There are also 19 players from Sri Lanka led by former Sri Lankan women’s champion Suneetha Wijesuriya among the entrants.

Players from most of the Indian states are also competing for the first prize of Rs.20,000 and trophy.

Both the octogenarian founders of TNSCA, A.V. Sriramulu and P.S. Vaidyanathan are among the entrants.