Chhattisgarh’s renowned chess arbiter, Alankar Bhivgade, has been selected as an official arbiter for the 20th Malaysian Chess Festival 2025, making him the first arbiter from State to receive this honor. The festival, one of Southeast Asia’s oldest and largest chess events, will be held from September 12 to 21, 2025, at KL Gateway Mall, Kuala Lumpur. Last year, the festival saw participation from nearly 1,400 players across formats including Classical, Rapid, and Blitz. Bhivgade, an International Arbiter (IA), FIDE Instructor, and former international chess player, has a distinguished career in the sport. He was awarded the title of FIDE Arbiter in 2016 (Baku, Azerbaijan) and elevated to International Arbiter in 2019 (Astana, Kazakhstan). He also holds the title of Senior National Arbiter and is the only arbiter from Chhattisgarh to combine such credentials with an international rating of 2152.

 

His illustrious career includes officiating at prestigious tournaments such as the 44th FIDE World Chess Olympiad 2022 (Chennai) with participants from 187 countries, the World Youth U-16 Chess Olympiad 2017 (Ahmedabad), and the Commonwealth Chess Championship 2017 (New Delhi). He has also served as arbiter and chief arbiter in numerous national and state-level competitions. Impressed by his experience, the Chhattisgarh State Chess Association appointed him as the chairman of its Arbiters’ Commission. Currently serving as Assistant General Manager (AGM) at Nandini Mines, Bhivgade expressed gratitude to the Chhattisgarh State Chess Association’s General Secretary Vinod Rathi and Akshat Khamparia for their support. Chess associations, officials, and players across Durg and Bhilai have congratulated Bhivgade on his achievement. Leaders including Kailash Jain Barmecha (social worker and patron), Eshwar Singh Rajput (President, Durg District Chess Association), Tulsi Soni (Secretary), and other members extended their best wishes, calling his selection a matter of pride for not just Chhattisgarh but also for the country.