Located on the third floor of the State Youth Centre (Yavanika) on Nrupatunga Road, the Chess International Club of Bangalore was set up in 1983 for Bangalore’s chess buffs. The club, based in the ‘Hobby Hall’, today has over 2000 members.
Parviz Abdulla, a city-based realtor, has been running the club for over two decades. He is also the Vice President of the club. A great chess buff himself, Parviz is also a State-level chess player. “This club is for the chess lovers. The only criterion for membership is a love of this wonderful game. Since childhood, I was always interested in this game. When I discovered this club, I immediately decided I wanted to be a part of it.”
Membership to the club is open to all. An annual membership fee of Rs 150 has to be paid, though. Members can come to the hall between 6 p.m-9 p.m to play the game. At a given time, up to 200 players can play chess in the club’s hall. All the furniture at the hall and the chessboards have been provided by Parviz. The hall is also equipped with a library with books on chess. Only members can avail of the services. “The membership fees charged goes into the maintenance of the club. There’s absolutely no commercial interests involved. Sometimes, we wave off the fees for those who cannot afford to pay the membership fees,” said Parviz.
The club is open four days a week – Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. “People from all walks of life come here to play. Some arrive with playmates while some just stroll in. It’s not difficult to find someone who is ready to lock horns with you!” said Parviz.
The earliest reference to this game of strategy is from 600 AD. Evidence exists to show that chess began in India. Indeed, there is little doubt that it did. Various references to the game exist in the Sanskrit literature of the seventh century. It is believed that the game had its origins in the Northern plains of the country. From India, the game travelled to Persia (present day Iran) and from there to the Arabian Peninsula. The game reached its zenith during the days of the Islamic Caliphate, when it was officially patronised. And, when the Moors (North African Muslim rulers) conquered Spain in the 8th century, the game reached the shores of Europe and spread. Chess was very popular among the ruling classes around the world, hence the term ‘the game of kings’. The third Mughal emperor, Akbar, is known to have played chess using live men, camels, horses and elephants in the Red Fort!
Over the centuries, the size and shape of the various pieces used in the game have undergone changes. The current pieces have existed in the standasrd form for more than 500 years, though. Today, the World Chess Federation (Federation Internationale des Echecs or FIDE) is the international body that governs chess. It has traditionally organised the world chess championship and all other major international chess events. But a difference in 1987 between Russian Grandmaster Gary Kasparov and FIDE over levels of prize funding and FIDE’s alleged autocratic methods led Kasparov to promote a breakaway body called the Professional Chess Association (PCA).
David Padua, a former National Junior Chess Champion and an office bearer of the club said, “This game sharpens the mind. It’s a game where foresight is of the essence.” David, a business associate of Parviz, started playing chess at the age of 6.
The club organises tournaments for members every month. There are various categories, including the ‘lightening category wherein a player is allowed only 5 seconds to make a move, failing which he is declared a loser. Such games are a treat to watch and usually get over in 8 to 10 minutes.
Good chess players, claimed Parviz, are made and not born. “There are a very few natural players. Just as in any other game, you get better as you play. Of course, a good analytical ability does help. Some people believe in playing it safe and some don’t. Many players wait for the opponent to make mistakes. Personally, I believe in playing an attacking game.”
So the next time you think you want to play chess, just go to State Youth Centre, Next to RBI, Nrupatunga Road and get yourself registered.
Parviz can be contacted on 98450-18080.