Former National A player, veteran International Arbiter and well-known organizer from Maharashtra, Moreshwar Dattatrey Bhagwat (63 years) took last breath today in Pune after a long illness. He is survived by a wife and 2 daughters.
Bhagwat was fondly known as “MD” in the field of Chess. A former bank employee was involved in Chess as various capacities. He was awarded the prestigious “Shiv Chhatrapati award” of Govt. Of Maharashtra.
He has guided and encouraged many arbiters, organizers, players to continue involvement in sports, he believed in transparency and promoted the sport selflessly for over 4 decades.
He was office bearers of Maharashtra Chess Association since 1985. He was Executive Committee member, Joint Secretary, Secretary and Treasurer of MCA.
Hats off to his dedication, we will miss you MD.
Vijay Deshpande
Hon. Secretary
All Marathi Chess Association
Western Asian Junior/ Girls Chess Championship – 2026 from 22nd to 31st October 2026 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat 
Western Asian Youth Chess Championships – 2026 in Ahmedabad ,Gujarat from 22-31 October 2026 
Fide Trainer Seminar in Mohali from 02-04 October 2026 
FIDE World Championships U7, U9, U11, U13, U15 & U17 – 2026 in Roquetas de Mar, Spain from 13th to 21st October 2026 
Asian Amateur Chess Championships – 2026 (Men & Women U2300 – U2000 – U1700) in Bangkok, Thailand from 20th to 30th November, 2026. 
Final report :Asian Junior Open & Girls Chess Championships 2026 in Mumbai from 16-26 August 2026