IDUKKI: Setting a new record, Nihal Sarin, a 10-year-old chess genius, defeated all 112 opponents, including a septuagenarian, against whom he fought simultaneously at Al Azhar College here on Friday.
Nihal, the World Chess Champion (Under 10) from Thrissur, effortlessly defeated Elsa Rose George, a seventh standard student from Vimala Public School, in six moves within nine minutes after the beginning of the match, marking his first win. The tournament was jointly organised by the Idukki District Chess Association and Nethaji Foundation.
When children aged between 7 years and 15 years from various schools came to participate in the tournament, senior players like 71-year-old Kurian Devassya also tried their luck. However, each of them had to surrender before the child prodigy.
Seven-year-old Pranav Hari from Saraswathi Vidya Niketan, Thodupuzha, was the youngest opponent Nihal had in Friday’s match. On each board, Nihal, who started playing chess at the age of six, took out each tactic and proved his mettle.
Water Resource Minister P J Joseph inaugurated the tournament. Chess Association district president M M Sulaiman presided over the inaugural function.
Thodupuzha Municipal chairman A N Harid, Chess Association organising committee general secretary N T Suresh Kumar and Al Azhar College MD Adv Mijas K M were among those present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, thousands of chess enthusiasts thronged the venue in Thodupuzha.