B. Tata Rao, one of the pioneers for bringing chess to the steel city, died of Coronavirus infection at Tata Main Hospital on Thursday.

Fondly called BT da, the 82-year-old was a resident of Adityapur and is survived by his wife, three sons and mother.

Though his main involvement was in the field of volleyball, he was instrumental in the growth of chess in Jamshedpur. He was actively involved in almost all sporting events organised by LIC, his employers.

Condoling Rao’s demise, All Jharkhand Chess Association (AJCA) secretary International Master Neeraj Kumar Mishra said his (Rao’s) contribution in chess was from the early days of East Singhbhum District Chess Association.

“He (Rao) helped the then Singhbhum District Chess Association by getting a place in the LIC building in Bistupur for conducting chess activities before it was shifted to JRD Tata Sports Complex, He was dedicated for chess,” Mishra added.

BT da was the organising secretary of the Tata International Open Chess 1994 which attracted 435 participants. The event is still remembered by players across the country. He was later transferred to Seraikela-Kharsawan district with a request to propagate the game there. He was the founder and president of the Seraikela-Kharsawan District Chess Association.

Rao was elected as joint secretary of AJCA for the tenure 2009-13 during which he also served as acting secretary for nearly a year. Due to his advancing age, Rao decided to hand over the Seraikela-Kharsawan District Chess Association to the young generation.

IM's Varugeese Koshy and Vishal Sareen as well as all other senior members of the chess fraternity expressed their condolence to the aggrieved family.

“Rao’s contribution towards chess was immense. He was dedicated to chess and always helped others. I would really miss him,” said international arbiter and coach of Tata Chess centre Jayant Kunmar Bhuyan.