Fiji Times - 01/02/10

HE is a man of great adventures. He would not be satisfied with what he had until he achieves and completes the course which he started, sixteen years ago. Fiji Chess Association committee member Krishneel Nair says playing chess is more of being a problem solver rather than being a sportsman.

He started his career while at primary school but decided to go the other direction of being a chess referee.

It was never easy for Nair. He said chess had taught him how to handle life to the fullest even with the limited resources one has.

"Chess is something which is never being solved. Even though it is played on 64 square boards, with 32 pieces, it is still a puzzle unsolved," Nair said.

Being, part of the sport he loves so much was a thrilling moment for Nair as he set his sights on capturing the Administrator of the Year award in the FASANOC Sports Awards in March.

Nair said he had not felt in love with anything but chess.

"I've learnt to play chess way in the early 90s. I started my first local chess tournament way back in January 2005.

"It was a Blitz tournament, which is played at a time frame of five minutes per player.

"I came in third in the beginners' category.

"There were a few experienced juniors who were playing in the same category," he said.

Nair used to play soccer, rugby and touch rugby at amateur level before he started his chess career.

He was the secretary last year before a new board was elected over the weekend where Nair was elected as a committee member.

Nair said chess was his everyday life.

He said he had new things to discover in life.

Nair said he wanted to achieve higher goals at the end of the day.

"I personally haven't set a goal to reach in chess.

"I would love to get as much titles and to contribute as much as possible for the betterment of chess either in Fiji or the entire universe," he said.

He believes chess will help him discover the world as he continues his career in the sport.

"I can get a chance to see half the world with chess. Get to meet new faces, make friends.

"I also might get a chance to review the rules of the game, as there are some changes done every two years," he said.

Nair added that achieving his goal would solve his life's problem just like solving a chess problem by overcoming his opponents in every move he makes.