Himalayan Chess Academy has started a special training program from Sunday, inviting International Master IM Atanu Lahiri, the 1999 Commonwealth Chess Championship winner. The academy has introduced a new initiative called “Masterclass with IM Lahiri” for intermediate-level students and a “Training for Trainers” (ToT) program for coaches.
Masterclass and Coaching Details
The Masterclass will cover essential chess skills such as openings, mid-game strategies, and endgame techniques. The training will take place at the academy’s chess hall in Thapathali, Kathmandu, and will continue for one week. This initiative aims to improve both the players’ skills and the coaches’ abilities to teach chess at a higher level.
Expert Trainer IM Atanu Lahiri
IM Atanu Lahiri, who is highly respected in the international chess community, has coached several top chess players. Himalayan Chess Academy founder, Monalisha Khambu, explains that it is difficult to provide systematic chess training in Nepal, so they decided to bring a renowned coach like Lahiri to Kathmandu. Lahiri has previously trained Grandmasters such as Rameshbabu Praggnanandha, Surya Shekhar Ganguly, Sandipan Chanda, and others. He has also worked with World Chess Champion Mukesh.
Lahiri’s Coaching Career and Achievements
Lahiri, who reached a FIDE rating of 2450 during his career, has over 30 years of coaching experience. He has worked with national teams from countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Guyana, Thailand, Mongolia, and India. Lahiri had also trained Nepal’s national team in 2005. He has won several chess titles in Nepal, including the Ram Prasad Gautam Memorial in Ilam. Additionally, Lahiri has held important roles such as a representative of the FIDE Education Commission and Secretary of the Bengal Chess Association.
Himalayan Chess Academy’s Impact and Achievements
Established on 1st Chait 2080 (Nepali calendar), Himalayan Chess Academy has already organized seven successful chess tournaments. These include events like the SEE Cup, Himalayan 100 for Guinness World Records, Himalayan TEE Chess Tournament, and more. The academy also organized Nepal’s first-ever freestyle chess competition in March 2080.
Training Programs Offered by the Academy
The academy aims to promote and develop chess in Nepal. It offers five different chess courses: Fresher, Beginners, Advanced Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced. Over 100 students are currently receiving training at the academy’s chess hall in Thapathali and its Bhaktapur branch. Regular online classes are also available, with free training sessions for women every Wednesday. The academy frequently conducts workshops and training sessions at schools and communities to expand its reach.