By - Deep Dutta
For the advance batch, the journey to Kharagpur to attend the 1st Edition Tracks of Strategy Open International Rating Chess Tournament 2024 was not just about playing chess only, this was their first tournament outside of Kolkata where they all went without their parents, so their excitement was palpable.
What they did not know was that I was also traveling to Kharagpur but on a different train, keeping my role as deputy chief Arbiter in secret. I stayed in the same dormitory as the students, but in a room just behind theirs. I surprised them by knocking on their door. The surprise and joy on their faces when they saw me was priceless.
Spending Times :
The tournament was consisting over 250 participants from various states. But our Himadri, Sayan & Diptayan got prizes & gain their rating , Ilhan & Antoreep also fought very well. But as per blog section rules of ours, we will not talk much about the Chess Tournament.
We lived in a dormitory just a 5-minute walk from the tournament hall. We explored the area near our dormitory, which was pleasantly uncrowded due to its proximity to the railway area. The evenings were spent playing badminton and visiting the nearby stadium. I joined them almost every day for this activity. When all their games were over and my work, I would see their room with a smile. It felt like a teacher entering to take a viva. One by one, they would share what had happened during the day—the results, their experiences, how they lost or won. The less air pollution and abundant greenery compared to Kolkata, ample open spaces, tree-lined roads, and quieter atmosphere made it feel like a vacation in addition to a tournament trip.
The result was evident: most students received prizes, increased their ratings, and their friendships grew stronger. I also restricted mobile phone usage. They are allowed to contact their parents only once a day at night. This limitation helped reduce their social media consumption and many found themselves using their phones less even after returning home. Results, ratings, and scores can be important, but the friendship, understanding with others is also needed. What you learn and the skills you develop are applicable in many situations, regardless of the outcome.