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Needless ruckus over Barve’s Comments

There was certainly no need for an uproar such as the one we are witnessing in Goan chess today. Shrikant Barve made some observations on the net on All India Chess Federation circular that spelt fees to GMs/IMs for coaching that they would impart to players around the country. If Barve, who is a life member of the state chess association (GSCA) chose the wrong forum to express his views, the wiser men in the association also made the same mistake. The GSCA, unnecessarily, got worked up. It was a personal and unilateral opinion, and theirs is no reason why GSCA should even take serious notice of it as along as it (Association) was not dragged in to the controversy it or it did not cause the game in the state to come to a halt. It appears that Barve’s detractors were lying in waiting for a lame excuse to checkmate the man behind the success story of Taleigao Chess Academy.

The past come to haunt
About a year ago, I had got a whiff of behind –the-back scenes as the growing stature of Barve through numerous competitions for youngsters and his so-called ‘success’ with the coaching regiment for beginners was making some prominent chess buffs uneasy. When I enquired whether he has blessings of the Association to conduct various activities, he just gave me wry smile. I did not want to pursue the matter, but was certainly expecting a tirade against him. His detractors finally grabbed the opportunity when Barve posted his comments on the AICF circular on the net. They even tried to dig into his unglorious past, which I think is of no concern as long as he’s helping in development of the game.

More knowledgeable men in GSCA
The most difficult job of a coach in any game is to impart the basics to his pupils. The sporting fraternity in the state would want to know whether Barve’s style of functioning or his presence is good for the game to prosper or in he’s charging exorbitant fees. If his resume of an ‘unrecognized and unrated’ coach is not suitable for providing the best of training, the GSCA should create an awareness about it so that the parents refrain from sending their children to the Academy. With almost all its members quite knowledgeable of the game, some as much as Barve and many even more than him, it would be better for GSCA to start its own academy. I’m sure that the members, whenever required, would certainly offer their time and services for free as much as the GMs/IMs from outside the state – Goa has no GMs or IMs- have offered to do so. In case the AICF imposes a life ban on Barve, he will certainly not be able to use the services of the GSCA. But can they stop him from conducting training sessions? If they can’t, a similar situation like in taekwondo may occur, wherein players trained by Barve may not be allowed to participate in various competitions in the state. With Sameer Salgaocar at helm, chess has taken an upswing mode in the state but these bickerings won’t do any good.

Merits and demerits
Coming to the AICF circular, it merely puts a curb on the fees that were being charges by the rated coaches until now. Without doubt, the circular that prescribes a fee of Rs.10,000 for GMs and Rs.7000 to Rs.5000 for others for a 10 day coaching stint, has its merit and demerits. The main advantage is that it will make the accessibility to quality training for aspiring players easier. The disadvantage is as Barve describes it will set a bench mark’ because when our own players turn into GMs and IMs and would want to train younger players they will have to accept the fees without a murmur or just shy away from such a scheme. The poor remuneration may act as an obstacle for players in their decision to make a career out of chess and eventually it could lead to a dearth of coaches.
By SIMON ALPHONSNO on GT WEEKENDER Dated Mar 16 Pg 14

Appeal to Chess lovers from Goa,

If they believe in me and whatever I have said, I ask for solidarity. I request them to show their presence at the event “HOLICHESS” which Taleigao Chess Academy is organising in association with St Inez Jaycee Saturday 22 March at SAG, Campal.

Basic Chess Course Training to Govt. Primary School Teachers will be held at Taleigao Chess Academy in the month of April. Dept. of Education has agreed to our proposal to depute Primary teachers to this training.

Our moto is “Let’s make goa Chess literate”. I have my limitations in coaching or grooming a chess playing child. I know that. Even in case of Ivana, I had advised, Eli, father of Ivana to arrange a good coach well in advance. I have told all the parents what is the necessity of a coaching from higher level. Suhas Asnodkar, Standric Colaco, Prasanna Swamy, Adv. Kantak, Namshikar, Dr. Peter Carvalho, P.P. Insulkar and the three working with SAG are good coaches in Goa. But in reality Demand is their from all over Goa. Goa requires another 10 chess coaches.

There are many grievances to be looked into. As I don’t want to divert the attention from the Core issue, i.e.

“The Bad circular/notice uploaded on the AICF website may be on 17 Jan 2008 Appeal to Our Senior Players / IMS' / WIM's / GM's / WGM's / FM's and coaches”
http://www.indianchessfed.org/News/2008/January/natI13Girls/appealtoourplayerscoachingprogramme.asp

I don’t want to say any thing more.

Demand Supply of IM’s level chess coaches IN INDIA

“The AICF shall pay Rs.10,000/- for GM's and RS.7,000/- or Rs 5000/- for others for a ten day coaching programme. For outstation coaches AICF will reimburse, on production of tickets, third A/c train fare and shall take care of the local hospitality.”
http://www.indianchessfed.org/News/2008/January/natI13Girls/appealtoourplayerscoachingprogramme.asp
Coach unit = 10 days batch for a group of 10

General ratings statistics for India Jan 1 2008 as per FIDE (World Chess Federation)
Total (inactive inclusive): 3371
Total : 2485
Below statistics is valid for active players only:
Grand Master : 16
Woman Grand Master : 5
International Master : 53
Woman International Master : 12
FIDE Master : 24
Woman FIDE Master number : 9
http://fide.com/ratings/avgtoplist.phtml?country=IND

Rating of 2300 is considered as International Master level and
Rating of 2500 is considered as Grand Master level

India has 100 International Master or higher level players. http://fide.com/ratings/topfed.phtml?ina=1&country=IND

Considering all 100 are ready to coach throughout the year we have 2400 coach units.
( Coach unit = 10 days batch for a group of 10, 2 in one month, 12 month X 100 players of International Master or higher level)

Fifty percent of these are very active players eager to upgrade their rating. These players itself will demand Gm’s Coaching if available at throw away prize.
In reality coach units may not go beyond 150. --- Supply

Like Goa as one chess activity centre, in India there are at least 100 centres.

In Goa there are around 35 Rated players out of which 10 are elderly may not opt for coaching if there is any fee but
25 Rated Players are willing to take IM’s coaching even for the normal fee Rs.2500/- per day.
In addition there are another 60 players who are trying hard to become a rated players will also be ready to pay above fee.

My experience tell me that Goa’s demand is 16 coach units for a year by paying normal fee of 2500 per day.

In India the situation could be as under:
A person takes 2 coach units in a year.
Active Rated Chess players 2500
Active Rated Chess players in a age group below 20 1800
Trying hard to be a Rated player 5000
(5000 + 1800) 6800 group of 10, 680 group twice a year 1360 coach units---Demand.

Is Indian Chess Federation downgrading Coaches by offering meagre coaching fee of Rs.1000/- for Grand Master?
Appeal to Our Senior Players / IMS' / WIM's / GM's / WGM's / FM's and coaches

AICF proposes to short list the names of coaches who are interested to coach our players and prepare them for National and International tournaments. Those interested are requested to send a mail to AICF with their Bio-data and achievements in coaching if any. The AICF shall pay Rs.10,000/- for GM's and RS.7,000/- or Rs 5000/- for others for a ten day coaching programme. For outstation coaches AICF will reimburse, on production of tickets, third A/c train fare and shall take care of the local hospitality. Those interested may kindly send your mail immediately.
http://www.indianchessfed.org/News/2008/...
Dronacharya awardee coach R. Gokhale said in an interview that GM is entitled for appearance money, the minimum being Rs 30,000 besides first class lodging, boarding and transportation.”

Mr. Srinivasn President of AICF and Srinivasn Treaserer of BCCI are same person I am told... Chennai has picked up Dhone for 6 crores .... and AICF president is offering Grand Master Rs.1000/- for a day..... This is how Top brass of Chess in India think of chess players....
For Dhoni, Srinivans is offering Rs.10 lacks and a Chess Grandmaster only Rs.1000 per day.

We promte chess as learning tool. We have conducted many programmes in last two year. Our last programme of Chess Film Festival and Chess Tournament for children was big success.It was at International Center, Goa Donapaula on Sep 8, 9 Sat/ Sun. 240 primary School childrens from 59 school took part in chess tournament.
We gave Demo Chess Board worth Rs.2000/- each to 10 Schools and remaining 49 schools were given Chess course Book costing Rs.300/-.

We again plan to organise Chess in School programme where in There will be semnar on our present day school eucation,
film festival, cultural activites but the main Item is Chess Tournament for PRimary School childrens from Goa, Sidhudurg and Karwar.
Atleast 500 childrens and 500 + parents will take part in two day activity on Republic Day 26 Jan and Sunday 27th January.


We are planning to give Specialy manufactured Plastic Chess Tables (Size 60 inch X 20 inche height 24 inch) to participating schools. This will help to promote chess activity with
an Aim to make CHESS as part of Primary School curriculum in Goa.

Sposorer of these table will have space to on these table.

We will also release 100 pages Souvenir which will be given to all the participating childrens.

Work out the visibility of your brand at the venue, on chess table that will go to schools all over Goa as also on the Souvenir.

Please Write us about your involment in these activity.

Thank you.
(Shrikant Vinayak Barve)
Secretary : Taleigao Chess Academy 2451143/9326132702

Young anurag Mhamal gained 225 ELO FIDE Rating points in one year.

http://www.fide.com/ratings/tourarc.phtml?field1=5024366&codt=23

Anurag receives Geno award for Best Sportsperson
Goa State Champion Anurag Mhammal received the Geno award
for Best Sportsperson from the Chief Minister Digamber Kamat
at a function organised by the Sports Journalists Association
of Goa at Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim.

The Geno award is the highest of its kind for any of Goa's
sportspersons. Chess in Goa has suddenly picked up in popularity
and the conferring of this award will put the sport even more in
the spotlight. Youngsters across Goa are taking to the 64 squares and
the maximum requests for coaching camps from schools are for the
enlightening mind game.

Young Anurag thoroughly deserves this award as his feats in the
preceding year defy deion. He will gain a staggering 222 points
in ELO rating which is expected to touch 2100 in the October list.
He has had strong performances in various open tournaments in Sangli,
Mangalore and Rochess Thane.

Besides, he won the State Seniors Championship in fine style brushing
aside a strong field to triumph with a round to spare. His coach
Akash Thakur of Nagpur predicts 'greater laurels' for this youngster
and a possible medal at the upcoming Commonwealth Championships to
take place in New Delhi in December.

In the same function, GSCA President and AICF Vice President Sameer A.
Salgaocar was presented the 'Best Organiser' award by the Chief Minister.
Also World and Asian Under 8 Girls Champion Ivana Furtado received a cheque
of Rs. 25,000/- from Mr. Dilip Salgaocar, the head of the Geno Sports
Foundation.

On
Friday morning at Geno Sports awards ceremony CM Kamat spoke about the infrastucture available now to sport lovers. He said that its a sad picture that only elderly people are seen at Stadiums/swimming pools to keep them feet. No youngsters. Youghster aspiring to reach at the top should practice early morning, afternoon as also evening. Mr. Prabhudesai his old friend and has remain as CEO of SAG for past seven years was sitting next to CM. No youngster on the field should be shame to SAG CEO. Irony is, as per my knowledge Prabhdeasi has remain as CEO of SAG for so long on the blessings of Kamat. In the year 2001 I had written and personally asked "Why schools from seashore area are not participating in the swimming compitions?" and Prabhudesai had given me irrelevan answer. My simple logic is Students from KHARVI community living in seashore areas should be good swimmers. I also made phone calls to about 20 schools and 4 of these schools participated in swmming event held that year at Fatorda Stadium. Mr. Kamamt also said “Look at the likes of Ivana, Natasha, Bhakti. They have come from nowhere and it is not because of the system. Their success is despite the system,” “The financial outlay in sports has grown by leaps and bounds. From Rs 10,000 National organizational grant in the 70s, the government now gives a Rs 5-lakh grant. But, despite all the support and infrastructure we have not been able to consistently win medals at the National level.”
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It gives me joy to send cordial greetings of peace to the Hindu
community in our State on the occasion of the Festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. Among the rich and multi-layered symbolisms that surround this feast, I am particularly attracted by the depiction of Ganesha, representing the
complete conquest of self over egoism or desire. He also characterizes the God who removes obstacles and who grants success. On the occasion of this important Hindu Festival, I formulate sincere wishes that God Almighty may
impart his generous blessings on every Hindu household and individual and fill them with his choicest spiritual gifts and genuine success in their endeavours.

I also take this opportunity to invoke heavenly blessings on all the people living in our State of Goa, praying that the we may all be freed from the shackles of egoism and parochialism and join together in building a society based on sound human and moral values, conscious of our common obligation
towards our children, our environment and our common heritage.


+ Filipe Neri Ferrao
Archbishop of Goa and Daman

Chess has been challenging kids and adults all over the world for several centuries. Despite the
game's image as a pastime for "brains," it is easy to learn. Most six- and seven-year-olds kids can
pick up the basic rules quickly, and a few children learn to play as young as four.
Families get turned on to chess almost by accident in some instances. Mike Miller of Norfolk,
Virginia, says his two boys picked up the game by reading the back of a cereal box'. "They didn't
quite have all the moves straight," he recalls, "so I helped them. I had played a little in high
school, and when the boys started playing a lot, I got interested again. Shortly after that, my wife,
Sue, got involved. We all play 'now."