The Israeli Chess veteran lost to 12-year-old schoolgirl Yesha Shah at an Exhibition Chess Match in the city
Mumbai: One of the most reputed chess players in the world, and counted amongst the top 10 coaches of the game globally, Grand Master Alon Greenfeld was left stunned in the Simultaneous Chess Exhibition Match organised by the South Mumbai Chess Academy (SMCA) at the IFWL on Saturday.
As many as 40 budding players got to bear witness to an opportunity of a lifetime, to play a round on the square board with a living legend like the Grand Master. Greenfeld. Including reigning world youth chess champion from Nagpur Mrudul Dehenkar and Dev Shah, former World Schools champion.
Alon, 54 is presently visiting Mumbai to take part in a Simultaneous Exhibition Chess Match.
This simultaneous non stop exhibition was organised by SMCA, which is in it’s first year since conception and is in collaboration with the IFWL, at Lower Parel in Mumbai.
Amongst this, arrived a schoolgirl studying in the seventh standard of Poddar International School, known for her routine of stun shocking senior higher rated players. Having beaten a state champion in past, Yesha did it once again on Saturday to earn accolades from all present, including Greenfeld.
However, that was the only loss that the Israeli GM suffered in the four-hour long exhibition match.
Impressed and in praise of the ambitious adolescents, Greenfeld was in particular ,all praise with the resilience and patience that the youngsters displayed, with equal halves of kindness and a mature temperament “If trained well, these kids can be the next champions from India,” the Israeli Grandmaster said at the end of the programme.
On the conclusion of the 10-day camp organised by SMCA, Greenfeld will take with him satisfaction of training some really talented ones. “India is progressing well in chess with so many talents coming up every day. I wish them all the best,” The Grandmaster signed off.
However time came to a standstill as Yesha Shah, walked out victorious as the first one to have beaten the GM, leaving everyone wide eyed in astonishment. Shy, but full of energy and beamind with the joy of victory.
Another show stealer, was a 5 year old girl named Anaisha Nahar who was the first one’s to finish the practice match with GM Greenfeld. Who happened to be the youngest participant at the event. The prodigal girl was described by her proud mother Rekha Nahar, as a passionate player who developed an interest for the game naturally. The event lasted for a total of 4 hours.