Kenyan youngster Vihaan Kumar Sheth is in Mumbai, India taking part in the IIFL Private Wealth Mumbai International Chess Tournament. This event runs from 27th January to 6th February 2016 at the prestigious Mount Litera School International.
This event with a prize fund of USD 11,500 makes it one of the most lucrative junior tournaments in the world which is a massive boost to India’s image in the chess world.
One will recall that India had 50 talented kids in the 2015 World Junior Chess Championship in Halkidikki, Greece. They won a total of 11 medals – 5 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals! That my friends is called a bumper harvest!
Vihaan is the only competitor from Kenya in this event and which will go a long way to boost his morale. This 9 round event is a glamorous one with the winner going home with USD 2,300 and the glittering IIFL Trophy.
The Managing Partner of IIFL Wealth is Mr Karan Bhagat who has 2 boys Kush and Raahil who are very keen chess players. Kush Bhagat won a silver medal in the U5 section and his brother Raahil won a gold medal in the 10th Asian Schools Chess Championship held in Taiwan. See profile on Karan Bhagat
I am delighted that Kenyan youngsters are getting a chance to bite their teeth in tough overseas events like the IIFL Wealth Mumbai International Chess Tournament.
After 6 rounds Vihaan had managed to get 1 point which just goes to show that this event has attracted some of finest players in the region. The highest rated player in this section is Mohammad Fahad Rahman from Bangladesh who is rated 2278.
The website for this event is IIFL Weath Management Chess.
I have become inspired after reading about this event and will now work on how to organise a junior event in Kenya with a prize fund of at least KES 200,000 (USD 2,000).
