The Bhilwara Tournaments: A Trial Ground for Indian Chess Driven and Shaped by the Foresight of LN J
The Bhilwara chess tournaments, sponsored by the visionary LN Jhunjhunwala, Chairman Emeritus and founder of the Bhilwara Group, played a pivotal role in the development of Indian chess. Jhunjhunwala, who also ran the National Chess Trust of India and the magazine "Chess India," generously provided the prize fund, allowing organizers to focus on the logistics of these prestigious events.
In the 1970s, a prize fund of Rs 10,000 was a substantial sum, enabling top Indian players to compete for significant rewards and have their expenses covered. The initial five editions, held as round-robin tournaments, were highly regarded and featured the nation's elite. The fifth edition, held in Bhopal, marked a significant milestone as India's first FIDE-rated event.
Early Dominance and National Recognition:
The early Bhilwara tournaments saw fierce competition, with the following players emerging victorious:
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1974 - Delhi: S. Nasir Ali
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1975 - Hyderabad: N. Ghalib
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1976 - Madras: Mohd. Hassan
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1978 - Bhilai: Mohd. Hassan
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1979 - Bhopal: Nasir Ali
In 1979, a match between the top two players, Nasir Ali and Mohamed Hassan, resulted in a victory for Nasir Ali.
Transition to International Stature:
After 1979, the Bhilwara tournaments evolved into GM title events, consistently held in Delhi. While reliant on Soviet Grandmasters to achieve international status, these tournaments provided invaluable opportunities for emerging Indian talents. Unlike earlier international tournaments in Tiruchi and Bangalore, where Indian players struggled to make their presence felt, the Bhilwara Internationals arrived at a time when Indian players were ready to compete.
Young talents like Dibyendu Barua, Praveen Thipsay, and Viswanathan Anand gained crucial experience and opportunities to secure FIDE title norms.
Notable International Editions:
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6th Bhilwara, 1982: This FIDE Category VII tournament, with a prize pool of Rs 40,000, was inaugurated by President Zail Singh. It was a 12 player round robin event featuring very strong players. Importantly, this event resulted in Barua and Thipsay earning the International Master titles.
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7th Bhilwara, 1984: This edition featured the presence of reigning World Women's Champion, Maya Chiburdanidze. Her eventual win was made possible partially due to a last minute time forfeit by her coach Eduard Gufeld. The Indian masters, Parameswaran and Thipsay, finished very close behind her. Also importantly, Prime minister Indira Gandhi met with tournament organizers, received a delegation from the tournament led by LN Jhunjhunwala. She also highlighted the fact that her father and grandfather had played chess, followed by her grandson.
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8th Bhilwara, 1986: Soviet GM Vladimir Tukmakov won this tournament, with his only loss coming against the then 17-year-old Indian National Champion, Viswanathan Anand. The tournament faced certain logistical difficulties that were eventually worked through.
The Bhilwara tournaments, through the dedication of LN Jhunjhunwala and the organizers, significantly contributed to the growth and recognition of Indian chess, providing a platform for the nation's rising stars to shine.