The Odisha Chess Association for the Visually Challenged (OCAVC) is all set to host the 18th AICFB National Chess Championship for the Visually Challenged, under the aegis of All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB), in collaboration with Sai International School, and with the support of the Department of Sports and Youth Services (DSYS), Government of Odisha, and Prochessta from 2 to 6 April 2025.

Sai International Residential School, Ramdaspur, near Mundali, Cuttack is the venue of the championship, which features top visually challenged chess players of the country, including 10 international medalists and many former national champions. A total of 52 players from 15 states and Union Territories, including four from Odisha, would vie for honours.

The winner will be crowned as the National Champion, and the top five finishers will qualify to represent India at two major international chess events: IBCA Chess Olympiad in Serbia in June 2025 and the IBCA World Individual Chess Championship in Poland in August 2025.

Soundarya Kumar Pradhan, General Secretary of OCAVC, said: "Chess is the only professional game where a blind person plays against a sighted competitor with no change in rules. Our intention is to spread awareness about chess for the visually impaired in the state."

Unique features of the Championship:
*     No entry fee from any player.
*     Free accommodation (all Air Conditioned) and fooding for all players, escorts and officials (Courtesy Sai International School).
*     Free pick and drop facilities for all players, escorts and officials from airport and railway station.
*     A budgetary provision of Rs 3 lakh has been allocated for prize money, trophies and mementos (Courtesy DSYS).
*     Air Conditioned tournament hall with refreshments.

About OCAVC:
*     The Odisha Chess Association for the Visually Challenged (OCAVC), affiliated with the All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB), is dedicated to promoting chess among visually impaired players across the state.
*     It actively organizes tournaments, training camps, and selection events to nurture talent and provide opportunities for visually challenged chess players to compete at state, national, and international levels.
*     OCAVC has been instrumental in discovering and nurturing talented chess players from Odisha and continues to work towards the empowerment of visually impaired individuals through the game of chess.

Top Seeds of the Tournament: 1. Kishan Gangolli (Karnataka, FIDE Rating 2013), 2. Aryan B Joshi (Maharashtra, FIDE Rating 1952), 3. Darpan Irni (Gujarat, FIDE Rating 1939), 4. Soundarya Kumar Pradhan (Odisha, FIDE Rating 1928). 5. Subhendu Kumar Patra (Odisha, FIDE Rating 1874).