Rajya Sabha member Bhashyam Rama Krishna and Koneru Humpy inaugurate chess club at Chalapathi University

Rajya Sabha member Bhashyam Rama Krishna and Grandmaster Koneru Humpy inaugurated a chess club at Chalapathi University campus in Guntur on Saturday, and an All India Open Rapid Chess Tournament was organised as part of the event.

The Chalapathi University has launched a chess club to promote strategic thinking and intellectual development among students. Mr. Rama Krishna described it as the institution’s first chess club and said it could serve as a model for other institutions. He emphasised that chess improved concentration, analytical thinking and decision-making abilities. Pro-Chancellor Y. Sujith Kumar said the university had incorporated chess into its curriculum and provided dedicated practice slots for students, while Chancellor Y.V. Anjaneyulu said equal importance was given to academics and sports. Ms. Humpy assured support for developing chess activities and Vice-Chancellor B.V. Chowdary highlighted the game’s role in cultivating patience, focus and strategic thinking.

The All India Open Rapid Chess Tournament held alongside the inauguration drew 242 players from across the country. The organisers reported that the field included around 96 international-level players.

Dhruvesh Dondapati emerged champion of the rapid event. Perecherla Hariram Sai Krishna finished second and Siva Pawan Teja U. took third place.

K. Raju and R. Aditya secured the fourth and fifth places respectively in the tournament standings.

The guests distributed cash prizes totalling ₹1,11,999 and certificates to the winners and runners-up.

The guests also congratulated the prize-winners and wished them success in the upcoming national and international competitions.