By Alfie D, Pics by JP, Team Mangalorean 

Mangalore: Chess is a game of intelligence. In chess the link between performance and general intelligence is often assumed. The precursors of chess originated in West India during the Gupta Empire. Just a few weeks ago, Vishwananthan Anand of India successfully defended his World Chess Championship title in Moscow, Russia, against Israeli GM Boris Gelfand. The first chess tournament was held in London in 1851.

South Kanara District Chess Association (SKDCA) on behalf of United Karnataka Chess Association (UKCA) is hosting the Karnataka State U-13 Open FIDE Rated Chess Championship 2012, and Karnataka State U-13 Girls Chess Championship 2012 at the Karnataka Bank Employees Association Hall, Bejai, from July 14-July 17, 2012. FIDE, in French means, ' Federation Internationale Des Echecs' (or World Chess Federation).

The inaugural ceremony of this tournament was held on July 14, with Dr. Jessy Maria D'Souza, President of SKDCA welcoming the chief guests , participants and the audience. The chief guests for the ceremony were  M. R.Vasudeva, Honorary President UKCA and SKDCA ;Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, President, Kannada Sahitya Parishath; Jeevan Vas, Vice President, United Christian Association; Ranganath Kini, Corporator, Mangalore City Corporation; and MS Gururaj, President, UKCA.

The ceremony began with the lighting of the traditional lamp by Pradeep kalkura. In his speech Kalkura advised the parents of the kids to take good care of their kids, their food habits, and their physical fitness.

Jeevan D'Souza in his speech stressed the need to be healthy and fit. He also advised the parents to give proper physical training to their kids. He also said that physically fit kids will also be mentally fit. Chief guest MR Vasudeva in his speech complimented SKDCA for their commitment and hard work towards chess game. He also said that discipline is the basic quality in chess, and he asked the participants to follow it very strictly. Ranganath Kini, in his speech also praised the organizers of this tournament, and wished the participants all success in the chess tourney.

Madhava, Secretary of SKDCA felicitated the chief guests and also proposed the vote of thanks. Arun Fernandes. Senior Advertising Executive ,The Hindu compered the event. The Chief Arbiter for this tournament is Anand Babu, of FIDE, Trichy, Chennai.

MS Gururaj, President of UKCA gave brief details of this tournament to the reporter of mangalorean.com, stating that , the event is recognized by World Chess Federation. Karnataka is the only state to qualify in the World Chess Federation. Two top players from this event will represent at the National Under-13 Chess Championship Tournament in Chennai, during the month of November 2012. About 100 participants from all over Karnataka State are taking part in this chess championship event.