XI Individual World Chess Championship for the Blind 2006
All India Chess Federation for the Blind
Affiliated to: International Braille Chess Association (IBCA)
& All India Chess Federation (AICF) (recognized by Govt. of India)
It gives me immense pleasure to note that the XI Individual World Chess Championship for the Blind will be held in my country, India. Chess is one of the few games where the battle takes place in the mind of the individual. I play one blindfold event every year and for me that is the most daunting format. My wholehearted respect and admiration goes out to these players. Chess by itself is a complex game and these individuals have taken human calculation to a new level.
I have interacted with many visually challenge players and I can say honestly that these players have a special talent to see the pieces in their mind when they play. For us it is very difficult to be able to imitate that special skill.
Once I happened to play a match against visually challenged players. While playing I realised that on the chessboard we were both rivals and they rightly had to be treated so. It is this quality that makes a champion out of a player. And I can say that each of these participants here have this unique quality to strive and succeed. I applaud their ambition and spirit of competition. Sportspersons like me have a lot to learn from these gifted individuals.
I also would like to felicitate the organisers for bringing this event for the first time here in Asia and India. Unfortunately I will not be able to be with you all but I wish you all the best and hope you enjoy the event.
VISHWANATHAN ANAND
Here is the official website.
Hello All,
Just a quick note to applaud GM Anand for his kind words to the extremely gifted and courageous chess players participating in this tournament.
Thank you, GM Polgar, for posting this letter on your site.
Respectfully,
Tim Harris
Anand has done a lot for chess and disabled in the past. He is also the kind of superstar that take a bus instead of a limousine. He’s probably the nicest superstar in chess. Even Kasparov praised him!
Now here’s a man I’d like to see as World Champion. Anand has character as well as talent.
Hello Susan,
Found this game and thought it a good way to teach the youngsters how the knights move. (sorry about being off topic, but did not know were to post the link)
http://www.filebomb.com/index.php?action=playgame&gameid=745
When I saw the headline “Message from Anand” I hoped it had something to do with him issuing a challenge for the Unified Title. The actual story, worthy as it is, has to be considered a disappointment.
Here is one guy who is not involved in any chess scandals, issues or gossips. Neither did he criticize Topalov nor did he praise Kramnik. A truely a professional chess player and all set to show that chess did really originate in India…..
Just a note to echo what has been noted:
1. Anand is a classy guy – one worthy of the world’s respect and admiration.
2. I hope that he will play again for the title.
Thats is a very good initiative from Anand , it shows his class as a gentleman , i hope that he will become world champion in the future , he’s an example for the chess community