A unique online exhibition event successfully conducted by IOC and ChessBase India
The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is one company whose support for Indian chess has been unparalleled over the years. From sponsoring top Grandmasters of the country like Surya Shekhar Ganguly and Adhiban Baskaran to hunting down young talents and aiding them, their impact on the sport has been significant. Well, they are also taking excellent initiative during these lockdown times to ensure that public interest in the game doesn't wane. Recently on 24th of May they conducted a unique online exhibition event through ChessBase India featuring two of the most highly regarded figures of Indian chess - GM Abhijit Kunte and IM D V Prasad. We bring you the details in this brief report.
On 24th of May ChessBase India organised online simul exhibition matches for the employees of Indian Oil Corporation where the company gave its employees a unique opportunity to play against IM DV Prasad and GM Abhijit Kunte. ChessBase India conducted this event online on its playchess server. Out of 78 registered entries, 53 turned up and played 10 minutes games each against these champions. It was challenging for the masters to play against 6 boards at the same time in the limited ten minutes time frame. (Photo: Lennart Ootes and Amruta Mokal)
IM DV Prasad played 25 games out of which he won 23, lost 1 game on time and one game was a draw. Where as GM Abhijit Kunte managed to play 28 games, winning 27 games and losing only one game.
ChessBase India conducted the event online and helped the participants with a seamless playing experience. After the games when we spoke to IM DV Prasad he said: "The Simultaneous event organized by IOCL for its employees through Chessbase platform was a unique experience and relatively new. Both Abhijit and myself thoroughly enjoyed the event and it certainly provided an excellent opportunity for IOCL employees in testing their skills. The event was designed to spread Chess through a online event during this period of lockdown, which was a sudden thought.Though I would admit playing with just 10 min each without increment and with multiple boards popping up was a tall order, it was nevertheless good fun. The event was facilitated by Chessbase whose team functioned meticulously with regard to technical matters. Summing it up, it was some sort of new initiative (if I am not wrong) with two players playing simultaneous sessions through a tight schedule and an amazing experience."
GM Abhijit Kunte also shared his thoughts on his simul experience: "It was really a fun moment for all of us to play against the IOC employees from different parts of the country. It was a marathon event that lasted for 2.5 hours for me and same for prasad. Participants played very well, specially Aditya Mittal.. I remember my first simul I played against IM sharad tilak and Sajjandas joshi in Pune when I was 8 yrs. I could draw with both of them. This displays are a great opportunity to identify young talents, I remember when I played simul in Nasik in early 2000 young boy age six years Vidit drew with me, today he is the 2nd ranked player of India and 23rd in the world.
It was an interesting initiative by IOC Specially Shri U.P. Singh ED - HR during lockdown, which provided entertainment, learning and socializing which is being missed immensely. Also got lot of question later from the participants on how to improve chess, and I hope few of them will take up chess as sports as well as use it as a tool for other mind sport. I must thank team ChessBase India specially Sagar and Mr. Gadgil who worked tirelessly for the smooth organization of event. Play chess, love Chess."
The Indian Oil is helping lot of chess talents in India. Chess needs more companies and sponsors like IOC to promote the game widely.
Previous Coverage of GM Kunte and IM Prasad
About the Author
Dnyansagar Gadgil is a Strategic Operations Manager at ChessBase India.