MIND GAMES!

The Formula One circus has moved on, the soccer and basketball seasons almost over, and, above all, the protracted cricket World Cup has mercifully come to an end at last.

But sporting excitement has not ebbed yet, at least in Bahrain.
In fact, the Bahrain Batelco Open International Chess Championship, starting tomorrow, comes at the right time to rejuvenate the body and soul after an exhaustive month of virtually non-stop sporting action: some good, some bad and some certainly ugly.
So far chess in Bahrain has been a nascent sport, a small group of seemingly eccentric people getting together in windowless rooms to brood over 64 squares almost endlessly. Occasional tournaments were won by familiar faces as the sport stagnated due to official apathy and lack of proper organisation.
But this new international tournament, the biggest to be held in Bahrain’s history, is expected to change the face of the game and spark a revolution.
For starters, at least five Grand Masters and two International Masters are expected to take part in this international tournament being organised by the Bahrain Chess Club in association with the official association. The prize fund is BD3,000 and the event is recognised by FIDE, the world chess organising body.
“This tournament will be like an incubator for young chess players in Bahrain. It can act as an catalyst to spark a chess revolution,” said Jamal Abdulghaffar, the treasurer of the Bahrain Chess Club and one of the most energetic officials behind the organisation of this event.
Abdulghaffar is a die-hard chess enthusiast, a proactive organiser and very keen to promote the game at the grass root level. A talented player himself, Abdulghaffar feels chess is the best sport for young minds.
“Chess players are small in number and are mostly closely linked and related. We have to break this monopoly for the game to progress and I hope this international tournament will serve this purpose,” said Abdulghaffar.
At present there are no International Masters, no coaching system and no one with the time and resources to put things in order in Bahrain, according to chess enthusiasts. The Hayyad brothers, Hussain and Maher, and Ali Ghasra are the only familiar names who make periodic headlines on the inside pages of newspapers.
There have been more talented players in the past, but most of them are inactive now or lost interest completely due to lack of encouragement and opportunities. “What Bahrain needs is a chess nursery to nourish young talent. I sincerely hope this international tournament will help us to think in that direction,” added Abdulghaffar.

By VIJAY MRUTHYUNJAYA
vmruthyunjay@gmail.com