District-level chess tournaments will resume in Kolhan post-pandemic from early April.

The West Singhbhum District Chess Association (WSDCA) is organising the 11th Padmabai Rungta Memorial District Chess Tournament 2021 from April 2 to 4. The event will be held at S.R. Rungta Recreation Town Hall.

West Singhbhum will become the first district in Kolhan to conduct on-board chess event. It is yet to resume in East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan.

WSDCA secretary Basant Khandelwal said the tournament will be played over 7 rounds of Swiss league with a time control of 25 minutes and 10 seconds increment. "Chess event will finally resume in Kolhan after the pandemic. The chess enthusiasts really wanted to once again get a feel of chess board," he said from Chaibasa.

The winner of the tournament will receive Rs 5,000 and a trophy and top 15 players will also be awarded cash prizes and trophies. "Entry fee for the tournament is Rs 100 for school students and Rs 200 for other players. Entry fee will be collected at the venue and Jalaram Store Bari Bazar, Chaibasa. S.R. Rungta Group is the sponsor of the tournament," he added.

All participants will wear masks and maintain social distancing during the tournament.

Saikat Dutta and Priyanka Kumari from West Singhbhum placed third and fourth at the recently concluded 20th Aditya Birla Memorial Senior State Chess Championship in Ranchi.

Both Saikat and Priyanka have been selected to represent Jharkhand in the senior national meet to be held in Kanpur next month. Both players will be part of the district event in Chaibasa.