Coach alleges bias after being denied FIDE trainers exam chance

Sai Dinesh, a veteran chess coach, was denied entry to the FIDE trainers exam in Vijayawada despite paying the fee, alleging Telangana Chess Association bias due to his involvement in TDCA reforms

Hyderabad: He drove all the way from Hyderabad to Vijayawada to appear in the FIDE trainers examination, having paid an Rs 8,500 entry fee, conducted by the Andhra Chess Association under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation — only to be denied the opportunity to write it on the ground that the Telangana Chess Association (TCA) didn’t recommend his name.

For the 33-year-old G. Sai Dinesh, it has been an experience he would love to forget, given “the indifferent attitude of the TCA.”

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Worse, Dinesh attended the seminar for two-and-a-half days but was still denied permission to write the examination.

For someone with 13 years of coaching experience and a postgraduate degree in hotel management, who is now into full-time chess coaching, Dinesh said in a chat with *Telangana Today* that he was shocked to see some people unfamiliar with the game appearing in the examination.

“I tried my best to contact the top officials of the TCA but there was no response, and it was clear they were avoiding my queries,” said Dinesh, who had won the All India FIDE-rated (below ELO 1600) national-ranking tournament in the past.

“I feel that this indifference towards me could be because of my active involvement in the recently-floated Telangana Democratic Chess Association (TDCA), which has been highlighting the irregularities and lack of basic facilities at chess tournament venues,” Dinesh said.

“As both a coach and a player, I have personally witnessed the struggles faced by chess players and their parents. Over time, many senior coaches and players began raising their voices against unfair practices in chess administration,” he said.

“It was pretty obvious that because we have been raising issues for the welfare of the players, we are being victimised,” Dinesh said.

“We at TDCA repeatedly make it clear that we are not seeking any post. We are here for the players’ welfare, and we are ready to sort out any issue in a democratic manner in the interest of all players,” said Dinesh, who, ironically, was not even refunded the entry fee.