Mind your game

At the 2nd All Parsees Speed Chess Tournament on August 1, 2004, Beji Bharucha and Jemi Bardi won the seniors and juniors titles respectively. Eleven-year-old Bardi, with five points, comfortably overcame his opponents in all five rounds of the competition organized by FOZAWAC (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations for Welfare and Culture) at the Banaji Atash Behram Hall in Bombay. Sanaya Gandhi with three-and-a-half points stood second and Farzan Borzu third.

From left (back row): Pagdiwalla, Bhumgara, Buchia, Bharucha, Adi Mehta, Kanga, Aloo Shroff and (front row) Gandhi and Bardi; (right) making silent moves

In the senior group, Bharucha, Fali Kanga and Burjor Buchia ended on four points each, with Bharucha adjudged the winner on progressive standing. Kanga and Buchia claimed second and third position respectively. Young Berzis Pagdi­walla, who was leading with three-and-a-half points after the fourth round, lost in the final round and had to be content with fourth place, states Rusi Bhumgara, FOZAWAC’s general secretary.

The tournament was sponsored by philanthropist Shahrukh Kathawalla. Encouraging community sportsmanship, the trustees of the Banaji Atash Behram granted permission to use the hall free of cost, acknowledges Bhum­gara.