A New Start for the Blog: Tuan is back

Hello, my name is Tuan Rushdi.

I started my professional life with a degree in Management Information Systems, and like many, I anticipated a trajectory that would follow the norms. However, life took a turn when I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, which steadily dims vision. This led to an early end to my first professional endeavour, but in many ways, it marked the beginning of a much richer journey.

Technology became a close ally in adapting to this new phase of life. Screen readers allowed me to communicate with the world through computers, and a white cane evolved into my guide, helping me navigate daily life.

During this time of self-reinvention, I discovered chess. A game of strategy and foresight, it resonated deeply with my own journey. I took on the challenge and entered the world of competitive chess. In a groundbreaking move, I became the first blind chess player in Sri Lanka to compete in an internationally rated tournament organized for sighted players. I didn't just participate; I excelled, defeating sighted opponents and making history by becoming the first blind chess player from Sri Lanka to achieve international ratings.

My dedication to advocacy and my vision to uplift and empower persons with disabilities led me to a significant accolade: the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarship. This allowed me to delve deeper into my advocacy at Flinders University in South Australia, where I now study Disability Policy and Practice.

Through each challenge and accomplishment, my aim remains clear and steadfast: to guide, inspire, and be a beacon for others, especially those facing their own challenges. Every move on the chessboard, every step in life, is about strategy, vision, and resilience. I'm here to share that journey.

Strategy Conference National Para Olympics

The strategy conference for the national para Olympics was held on the 6th and 7th February 2020 at Hotel Clarion Kiribathgoda. Mr. Hilmy Ishak was the facilitator for the session.

Story of a Visually Impaired Chess Player

The famous saying of the great Albert Einstein: “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”, indeed, was the saying that inspired me to focus on my abilities, not on my disability.

Chess is one of the best gifts God gave me. When I had normal vision, I didn’t have time to play or learn Chess because I concentrated more on my studies. However, after I became visually impaired due to an eye disease called “Retinitis Pigmentosa”, I got to play and learn Chess.

When I joined a rehabilitation program for the visually impaired, I met Chess players who were blind or partially sighted. From them, I learned how to play Chess with an adaptive Chess board. As soon as I learned the game, I got an opportunity to play in the national visually impaired Chess championship. At that time, was my chess knowledge sufficient to compete in a national event immediately after completing an introductory course? But I managed to become runner-up in this tournament. That was the first time I participated in an All Island competition. This was in the year 2013. The result of this tournament was the first indication that I had some talent for playing Chess.

I followed an online Chess course conducted by the Hadley School for the Blind. I completed both studies conducted by this institute with a grade of A+. I wanted to improve my knowledge of Chess. I tried to learn Chess from the internet, but most of the lessons were not accessible for visually impaired students. Then I tried to find a Chess mentor who could help me to improve my game. Still, even though people like to teach me, due to their busy schedules, it is hard to commit their time to preparing lessons accessible to a visually impaired person. I was so disappointed at that time because I thirsted for knowledge of Chess, but there was no way for me to continue my training. I almost gave up Chess and took swimming and Cricket. My dream was. To represent my country in a sports event at the highest level and to bring glory to my country.

In 2017, I represented my country in the Asian Pacific Chess Championship for the visually impaired. The tournament was an excellent experience for me. During the tournament, I attended a meeting where they presented how Chess in India for the visually impaired developed during the last 2 decades. After that tournament, I realized that I must play in tournaments regularly to improve my Chess. Unfortunately, since 2013 there was not a single tournament organized for the visually impaired in my country. So I decided to play in open international-rated Chess tournaments scheduled for sighted players. F.I.D.E. rules allow visually impaired players to play against sighted players.

I wrote a request message to the admin of Chess life.lk Facebook fan page requesting tournament organizers to allow visually impaired players to play in Chess tournaments organized for sighted players. After my message was published on the fan page, the Negambo Chess Festival organizers allowed visually impaired players to play in tournaments.

Chess for the visually impaired in Sri Lanka started in the mid-1990s. In 2017 I became the first visually impaired chess player to compete in an open international-rated Chess tournament organized for sighted players. In the same year, I became the first visually impaired Chess player to get F.I.D.E. international ratings in my country. Now in most Chess tournaments organized for sighted Chess players, the tournament organizers have named a separate category prize called “Differently-abled Category” for players with a disability. As a result, chess Players with disabilities in my country regularly play in open international-rated Chess tournaments. That is a tremendous positive change for persons with disabilities who love to play Chess. I can still remember the first game I played in a Chess tournament with a sighted player. Other players, their parents and kids surrounded me to see how I played by touching Chess pieces because it was a new experience for them. During intervals between matches, kids come near me to play friendly games. They like to try my specially-made Chessboard for the blind.

The same year, I got to work as a translator on a project where a Chess syllabus was created for Chess coaches and students in the local language. After I got married in 2017, my wife helped me with Chess studies by reading Chess books and describing Chess diagrams. But, Without a Chess coach, it is challenging for me to reach another level in Chess. I have trained myself to play Chess blindfold. It means to play Chess without a Chess board or Chess pieces. It is a great skill to develop, especially when you are a visually impaired Chess player. I now play many tournaments via Skype with other visually impaired Chess players worldwide. I’m also a member of the United States Braille Chess association.

Chess is now a sport included in the Para games, starting from the 2018 Asian Para games held in Indonesia. I was selected to represent my country in the Asian Para games 2018. I was placed 13th in Asia with a performance rating of 1502, which is my highest performance rating in a Chess tournament.

My goal is to become a member of the I.B.C.A. (visually impaired Chess team), which participates in the Chess Olympiad. I can achieve my goal with proper training, guidance, and hard work. Even though my vision is gradually deteriorating, Chess has enlightened my mind’s eye. However, I wish I had a Chess coach who could guide me toward my goals.

My first Asian Para Games Experience 2018

I was thrilled to be selected for the Asian para games Chess team to represent my country. On the 1st of October at 7.30 a.m., we left Bandaranayaka airport for Indonesia. There was a grand opening ceremony on the 6th of October. Our games started on the 7th.

Facilities provided for players were excellent, and 8000 volunteers were appointed to help the para-athletes. In addition, we had varieties of food and other entertainment, such as musical shows etc.

I played for the standard Chess event. I placed 13th in Asia with a performance rating of 1502.

Our para team got 14 medals, including 4 gold medals. We returned to Sri Lanka on the 14th of October.

Asian Para Games 2018 Sri Lanka Team

The third edition of the Asian Para Games will be held from 6to 13Octoberin Jakarta, Indonesia, where Sri Lanka will field a team of athletes representing nine different sporting disciplines, which include archers, athletes (track and field), badminton players, visually impaired chess players, power lifters, swimmers, shooters, table tennis players and wheelchair tennis players. 

Previously, the Asian Para Games were called the FESPIC games (Far East and Pacific Games) which began in 2002, where Sri Lanka bagged more than 24 medals including six gold medals in Korea. Subsequently, the games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2006, before rebranding as the 1st Asian Para Games, that was held in China in the year 2010 and the second Asian Para Games that was held in South Korea four years later. On both the previous two occasions, Sri Lanka grabbed more than 22 medals.

This year, Sri Lanka is represented by world class athletes in the likes of paralympic medalist Dinesh Priyantha Herath (javelin) and top rankers such as Upul IndikaChuladasa (100/200m) and Sampath Hettiarachchi (javelin), along with many more medal winners at the Asian Level with potentials from archery (Sampath Bandara), table tennis (Dinesh Desapriya) and Gamini Dissanayake of wheelchair tennis. 

“It is noteworthy to mention the support and assistance we have received from the Ministry of Sports and the principal sponsor of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Dialog Axiata PLC, for their continuous support towards empowering the athletes for the Asian Para Games this year,” said National Paralympic Committee President Major GeneralRajitha Ampemohotte. 

“Dialog is pleased to have partnered with the NPC since 2002 to provide support for these athletes who will bring honour and glory to Sri Lanka,” said Dialog Axiata PLC General Manager – Brand and Media Harsha Samaranayake. 

He added: “Sri Lankan para athletes have performed well in the last few international meets and Dialog will continue the support as a strong proponent of powering para athletes, parallel to our philosophy of empowering all segments of society to excel on a national and international stage.”

reference: http://www.ft.lk/sports/Dialog-Axiata-powers-National-Contingent-for-Asian-Para-Games-2018/23-663525

Retinitis pigmentosa Group treatment Sri Lanka

Treatment for Retinitis pigmentosa.

Group treatment 2^nd July to 14^th July 2018.

At Newlight Welfare Centre.

Contact Tuan Rushdi.

0773637799

8th DAMSO International Chess Tournament Visually Impaired Chess Champion

The 8th DAMSO international-rated Chess tournament was held in Ambalangoda Darmashoka school, starting from the 19th of April to the 23rd of April.

 

I participated in this tournament under the differently-abled category, and I was able to win that category with 5 points out of 9 rounds. This was the 1st time I stayed in Ambalangoda for 5 days with other Chess players(Mr. Anthony Samuel and Malon Fenando).

While playing the tournament, I got the good news that I had been selected for the Chess team, which will be participating in the Asian Para Games this year in Indonesia. This is the first time Chess has been added as an indoor game in Para games.