Patna: The two-day Postal Rapid Chess Tournament, organised by the Bihar Postal Chess Academy under the All Bihar Chess Association and sponsored by the Postal Department, began with high energy and strong competition. By the close of today’s rounds, the top 12 seeded players are jointly leading the standings.
The tournament has drawn significant attention with 33 rated players and a mix of former and current chess champions, enhancing the competition’s calibre. All seeded players won their respective third-round matches today, advancing confidently to the next stage. A total of 135 participants from 15 districts across Bihar are competing, adding to the tournament’s statewide appeal.
Chief Postmaster General of Bihar, Anil Kumar, inaugurated the event by making the first moves on the chessboard alongside young participants. The ceremony included special guests Pawan Kumar, Director of the Postal Department, and Dharmendra Kumar, Secretary of the All Bihar Chess Association. In his speech, Chief Postmaster General Anil Kumar expressed the Postal Department’s commitment to developing chess in Bihar. He highlighted the department’s support for recruiting talented players and its partnership with the All Bihar Chess Association in running a chess academy dedicated to the structured training of young enthusiasts.
Other notable attendees at the inauguration included Manish Kumar, Senior Postal Superintendent of Patna Division; Naveen Kumar, Assistant Director (BD) at the Circle Office, Patna; former Secretary of the All Bihar Chess Association, Ajit Kumar Singh; and Chief Arbiter Alok Priyadarshi, along with arbiters Priyanka Kumari, Manish Kumar, and Vijay Kumar. Tournament Director Shashi Nand Kumar conducted the programme, and Sohan Kumar, Coordinator of the Postal Cultural Centre, delivered the vote of thanks.
