For Inaganti Amarnath, officiating at the recent Chess Olympiad in Norway was a special experience.

Even as India bagged a historic bronze medal in the recent Chess Olympiad in Norway, a genteel physically challenged Hyderabadi, Inaganti Amarnath, scripted his own piece of history by being the only arbiter from Telangana and only one of the three from India (the other two being highly respected Anantharaman and Gopa Kumar) to have this rare privilege.

For the silver medallist in the 2011 World championship for disabled which fetched him a job in the South Central Railway, the nuances of the sport at the highest level are nothing new. He also trained Dasari Minu, former Asian under-eight champion and Manogna (national under-8 champion) and happens to be the first FIDE trainer from the State.

“It is a lifetime experience no doubt,” insists the only FIDE arbiter from the State.

“A great honour given the fact that I am also the general secretary of the International Physically Disabled Chess Association, promoting the sport amongst the 183 member countries,” he adds. “Meeting the cream of world chess is the ultimate experience and am playing my own bit in officiating. This is an unbelievable experience,” the 37-year-old Amarnath says to a query. “This assignment taught me key aspects in the art of time and people management and in fact is lot easier than smaller events,” he says with a big smile.

“The major challenges have been the language of the players, their rage sometimes. You need to be extremely calm, composed and fully aware of the FIDE rules to handle any crisis,” he says.

“The most memorable experience of Olympiad was meeting some great players like ex-world champions Anatoly Karpov, Vladimir Kramnik,” he points out.

“Most importantly, being part of the Indian contingent after winning that historic bronze is unforgettable. Hats off to the coach R. B. Ramesh for guiding the team with such class and efficiency without a couple of big names of Indian chess,” says a delighted Amarnath.

“Unlike in Chennai or Kolkata, there are no designated venues easily accessible for all chess players from our state to hone their skills. I request the State Government to take up this cause and promote the sport at the district level in a big way. There is abundance of talent,” says Amarnath.

“I am putting in my personal efforts to make chess a part of the Paralympics. And, also using all support systems and avenues to promote chess in schools, orphanages and prisons,” he concludes.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / August 27th, 2014