Dhanbad, April 9: Ongoing politics in Jharkhand Chess Association has taken its first toll in shape of International Master (IM) Neeraj Kumar Mishra of Jamshedpur , who after serving 35 years for promotion of game in different roles, has bade adieu to state and shifted to Kolkata.
Neeraj Mishra was second player in the history of Indian chess who achieved dual status of International Mater cum International Arbiter norms. He also served Jharkhand Chess Association as secretary for five terms from 2005 to 2022.
Jharkhand Chess Association gave NOC to him on April 3, 2025.
Sources said he has been feeling suffocation due to dirty politics in state chess and left the Jharkhand. However, he said since for last two years he had no role in state to promote chess he decided to shift Kolkata.
Neeraj Mishra is Indian team coach and has toured with different age groups teams as coach in several international tournament in abroad.
“ It is major set back for for state as Neeraj Mishra was not only IM and international repute coach but also a famous sports administration”, said a founder of Jharkhand Chess Association.
Offer from Bihar and other states
Sources said before shifting to West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and other states had also offered Neeraj Mishra for guiding their players. But he preferred his old house Kolkata where he made several junior champions.
IM Mishra joined Tata Steel Chess Centre Jamshedpur in 1990. Having seen his ability, The then east Singhbhum District Chess mentors AK Bose, RR Prasad, Jayant Bhuyan, NK Singh attached him with association as secretary in 1996.
When Jharkhand separated from Bihar in 2000, Neeraj Mishra was made state secretary in 2005 and continued till 2011.
Politics began in 2011
Politics began in Jharkhand chess in 2011. After differences with Jamshedpur Lobby, he took membership of Dhanbad chess and became district secretary. It is alleged that for settling his score with Jamshedpur lobby, Neeraj Mishra made his yes man state champion Pritam Singh secretary in 2011 and brought BJP leader Pradeep Verma ( Now MP) as president. Main aim of bringing Verma was to make association financially strong.
As Pradeep Verma took helm of chess association he changed entire set up and installed his yes men on all post . The situation forced Neeraj Mishra to resign as secretary on December 31st 2022. Even his closed association Pritam Singh deserted him in politics and joined in Verma group. Manish Kumar became new secretary.
Ranchi founders ignored
As state chess administration shifted to Ranchi from Jamshedpur, JK Sinha, who gave recognition to Ranchi chess and other sports before creation of Jharkhand, was not given any post. Though in Dumka Choubey maintained his supremacy in district.
