Announcements and News:

Sad Demise of Shri. Hanumantha, Secretary UKCA

It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of our beloved secretary Shri Hanumantha today (15/04/2021) dues to Covid related issues. He was a great mentor to many of the chess champions of Karnataka. He showed Karnataka State Chess Association a right path and took Karnataka Chess to whole new level. We surely miss him and it is a great loss to the whole chess fraternity. Let us all keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers. He will be always in our hearts - Team UKCA

PRANAV ANAND BECOMES THE LATEST IM OF INDIA

Pranav aged 14 years, 3 months, and 15 days becomes the latest International Master of India and is the Youngest International Master from Karnataka, India. He scored his first IM-norm in Rilton Cup 2019, second norm in Biel 2019 and the final norm in Aeroflot Open 2020. He just needed 19 points to qualify for the IM title, but he could not play from March 2020 due to the pandemic. He travelled to Serbia on Feb 8, 2021 and achieved the required points when he beat GM Stefan Djuric in the third round of Radnickichess - GM Round Robin tournament in Belgrade, Serbia. Pranav made his first IM Norm at Rilton Cup 2019. Rupali Mullick from ChessBase India did an interview with him afterwards at https://youtu.be/Lt0ZuoeVrfI. His second IM-norm came in Biel 2019. He third and final IM norm at Aeroflot Open 2020 B category tournament. He scored 5.0/9 with a performance rating of 2478 and gained 40 Elo rating points in the process. He defeated two GMs Elina Danielian and Maxim Lugovskoy, drew with the following IMs - Platon Galperin, Pavel S Dvalishvili and Alexey Mokshanov in Aeroflot Open 2020 B Category. Pranav Anand has been coached by L Seshadri from Mysore, Jayaram Ramanna from Chess Shoots Academy Bangalore, and IM Vishal Sareen from Delhi. Pranav has had the good fortune of working with GM Konstantin Landa, GM Boris Avrukh and IM Raja Ravisekar. The profusely talented boy from Bengaluru, Karnataka currently is being trained by IM V Saravanan who said “Pranav is an extremely talented boy who works very hard on his chess. More than anything, his level of passion for chess is amazing. I have not seen much among chess players whom I work with even adults. That kind of a passion he has. His completion of IM title is what can I say, I expected it for a long time. He is definitely destined for more." Pranav Anand has the potential and capability to achieve GM title within a year’s time. We hope he becomes a GM soon. TEAM UKCA CONGRATULATES HIS ACHIVEMENT

Covid 19 and Chess tournaments : UKCA Memo

Corona virus has spread all over the world. World health organisation(WHO) has declared it as pandemic. We at United Karnataka State Chess Association always believe in putting players first. As there are few situation in Karnataka we as the administration body has decided to fulfill health and safety measures as per the guidelines by  Union  Government's health department, sports and youth. Hence, please be informed that  all Chess tournaments of District and State selection in Karnataka state till 15 April 2020 and  the tournaments also declared earlier are postponed,  If they do so, the UKCA will not be responsible or accountable for their actions Players, parents, arbiters, coaches,organisers are requested to co-operate. Thanks and Regards,R.Hanumantha, General Secretary,United Karnataka Chess AssociationPh:94485 05303

Covid 19 and Chess tournaments : AICF Memo

As you are well aware the Corona Virus has been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation. It is likely to have widespread implications in the times to come but instead of panic we need to take adequate precautions. The Govt. Of India has advised to avoid any huge gatherings which means we have to cancel chess tournaments where there is participation of lots of parents, children, other players from various parts and also arbiters and volunteers etc. All the national championships to be held till May 31 stay as postponed and new dates will be notified soon. The State Associations are requested to avoid any state level events till April 15, 2020. If they do so, the AICF will not be responsible or accountable for their actions. Those who have planned FIDE rated events till April 15, 2020 are requested to reschedule their events. The risk becomes highest in FIDE rated opens due to huge participation. For any other queries please get in touch with the undersigned. - Kind regards, Bharat Singh chauhan, Honorary secretary, All India Chess Federation

FM Pranav Anand Completes his Final International Master Norm

FIDE Master Pranav Anand of Bangalore, Karnataka aged 13 years 4 months scored his third and final IM norm at Aeroflot Open 2020 B category tournament. He scored 5.0/9 with a performance rating of 2478 and also gained 40 Elo rating points in the process. He defeated two GMs Elina Danielian and Maxim Lugovskoy, drew with the following IMs - Platon Galperin, Pavel S Dvalishvili and Alexey Mokshanov. UKCA team Congratulate his wonderful performance.