B. Tata Rao, one of the pioneers for bringing chess to the steel city, died of Coronavirus infection at Tata Main Hospital on Thursday.
Fondly called BT da, the 82-year-old was a resident of Adityapur and is survived by his wife, three sons and mother.
Though his main involvement was in the field of volleyball, he was instrumental in the growth of chess in Jamshedpur. He was actively involved in almost all sporting events organised by LIC, his employers.
Condoling Rao’s demise, All Jharkhand Chess Association (AJCA) secretary International Master Neeraj Kumar Mishra said his (Rao’s) contribution in chess was from the early days of East Singhbhum District Chess Association.