A chess tournament for VIPs..,

This chess tournament is open only to VIPs - Visually Impaired Persons. City-based Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, in association with KPMG India organized a national open chess tournament for the visually impaired from February 26 at Yavanika, as part of its 12th Foundation Day celebrations. The Samarthanam Team has been a regular participant in state, zonal and national level tournaments in the past.
The tournament was inaugurated by K.R. Girish, KPMG India, Bangalore, I.M Vittalamurthy, IAS, Secretary, Dept of Youth and Sports, Dr D.S. Ashwath, IAS, Secretary, Dept of Women and Child Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka.
 "This unique chess tournament is a great opportunity for Samarthanam as well for the participants. This would bring out the intellectual abilities of visually challenged across the nation. This event would also provide an opportunity of traveling for visually impaired from different parts of the country to, get together and share knowledge and information which would build tremendous confidence on their personalities. Samarthanam gratefully acknowledges the concern for the cause of disability and generosity of KPMG in supporting this event and making this event possible" said Mr. Mahantesh G.K, Founder Managing Trustee of Samarthanam.

How blind chess is played
Blind chess for the visually impaired is played with almost the same rules as conventional chess. But there are a few modifications made to the equipment as mentioned below:
1. All the black squares are raised about 3-4 mm above the white squares. By feeling the squares, the player is able to determine whether the square is a black or a white one.
2. Each of the squares on the board has a hole in the centre so that the pieces can be fixed in these holes. Each of the pieces has a downward projection (nail) at the base, which fits into the hole in the squares on the board, thereby fixing the piece securely on the board.
4. All the black pieces have a pin fixed on their heads helping the player distinguish between a white and a black piece.
The players therefore, by feeling the raised or the lowered squares can figure out whether the piece is on a black or a white square. By feeling the shape of the piece, they can determine whether the piece is a Pawn, Rook, Bishop, Knight, Queen or King. The touch of the pin on the pieces helps the player from distinguishing a white piece from a black one. The player is therefore able to have a clear picture in his mind of the position on the board. He is now ready to take on any opponent, sighted or otherwise.

After making every move, the visually impaired person is required to announce the move aloud, so that his opponent comes to know of the move.
Major achievements of Samarthanam in promoting chess for the blind: 
1. Samarthanam organized South Zone chess tournament for the blind at Bengaluru in the year 2004
2.In the month of November, 6 members' talented visually impaired boys took part in national level chess tournament for the blind held at Ahmedabad from 16th to 21st November 2007.  Anil Kumar won the sixth rank.
Entry is free. For more details contact 9449864787/785/780.