The 14th IBCA Chess Olympiad for the Blind 2012 will be organised by the All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB), under the aegis of International Braille Chess Association & AICF from August 9 to 19 at Le Royale Meridien here. In the last edition, Russia took the gold.
World champion Viswanathan Anand, who was the chief guest, has been a big moral support to the Indian blind team. Anand’s positive initiative helped Indian team’s participation in the IBCA Chess Olympiad at Greece.
Charudatta Jadhav (general secretary AICFB) had this to say: “Anand’s support gives me motivation and inner strength to initiate ambitious programs to take chess for the blind to the next level.”
Impressed with the blind team’s work, Anand said: “I have interacted with many visually challenged players and can say that these players have a special talent to see the pieces in their mind when they play.” About 31 countries have confirmed their participation, including 25 IMs and 5 IWMs.