Tamil Nadu all set to host Chess Olympiad

As one of the most anticipated events of the chess world, the FIDE Chess Olympiad has an outstanding tradition embracing many countries and cultures. And now Tamil Nadu is all set to host its first Chess Olympiad, which is also a first for India. The gala opening ceremony will be held on July 28, while August 9 is slated for the closing ceremony. From a chess buff’s perspective, India is the birth nation of chess. The game can be traced back to 600 CE when it was called ‘Chaturanga’, meaning the four wings of the army – infantry, cavalry, elephantry and chariotry. Chennai, with its vibrant chess culture, was the perfect choice to host the Chess Olympiad. It is, after all, the homeland of legendary chess champion Viswanathan Anand and grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and is called the ‘Mecca of Indian chess’. In 2013, Chennai hosted the World Championship match between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand. The event was a huge success and resulted in India producing a huge list of new talents.

THE INCEPTION

The very first Chess Olympiad was an unofficial one, held in 1924 after the game was not included in the Olympics. Therefore, while the 1924 Summer Olympics was taking place in Paris, the first unofficial Chess Olympiad also took place in Paris. The organising body, FIDE, was formed on July 20 1924, the closing day of that Olympiad. The historic day is now celebrated as International Chess Day. FIDE (pronounced ‘fee-day’) is a French acronym for the Fédération Internationale des Échecs, better known in English as the International Chess Federation or World Chess Federation. FIDE eventually organised the first Official Olympiad in 1927 in London, with 16 participating nations. The Olympiad has grown into a mega event since then.

HOW TAMIL NADU BAGGED THE CHESS OLYMPIAD

The Chess Olympiad was originally slated to be held in Russia but then the Russia-Ukraine war broke out. FIDE started looking for new hosts and invited bidders. Bharat Singh Chauhan, Honorary Secretary, All India Chess Federation (AICF), played a crucial role in bringing the Olympiad to India. He discussed the possibilities with FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and AICF fulfilled the hosting criteria set by FIDE within a week, including the $10 million guarantee. Chauhan then set up a meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who instantly approved, assured and endorsed the government’s support for the event. The Chief Minister’s whole-hearted support clinched the deal for Chennai. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand’s endorsement was also a huge boost.

“It’s a great honour for India to host such a big event. This shows the position of the country in the chess world. I’m thankful to everyone involved who supported us. This is a historic step and I believe it will take Indian chess to greater heights,” said Chauhan, who is also the Tournament Director, after winning the bid.

OLYMPIAD IN THE CHESS CAPITAL OF INDIA

For 14 days, Chennai will be the chess centre of the world (to be precise, the Olympiad will be held in Mahabalipiuram while the Chess Congress will take place in Chennai). Chennai is a 382-year-old city boasting of a rich cultural heritage. With its intrinsic chess culture and players, it was a natural choice for the Olympiad.

“We look forward to hosting approximately 2,000 participants in the Tournament of Nations. The captivated attention of the millions of chess amateurs will be directed to this city. According to a long-standing tradition, the FIDE Congress will also run alongside the Olympiad. It is worth noting that Chennai has all the required infrastructure and hospitality at the highest level, complemented by the magnificent scenery and landscapes of India. Chennai is the motherland of the 15th World Chess Champion and surely one of the greatest chess players of all time, GM Viswanathan Anand. Gens unasumus- We are one family!” said Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President.

THE VENUES

VENUESThe Olympiad venue, Four Points by Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort and Convention Centre is conveniently located on the East Coast Road (ECR). The hotel is moments away from the Shore Temple, the beach and top area attractions. Transportation to the venue from the relevant hotels will be provided by the organizers.

Mahabalipuram – the venue of the Chess Olympiad – is home to spectacular beaches, high-end resorts and world-class water sports facilities. It is also home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites called ‘Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram’

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The Chess Olympiad is open to all National Federations affiliated to FIDE, each of which can nominate one team for the open section and one for the women’s section. Each team consists of four players, one reserve and one captain. Additionally, each delegation can nominate one head of delegation and one delegate for the FIDE Congress.

The FIDE Congress will be held alongside the Chess Olympiad at the Hotel Leela Palace in Chennai. All Congress participants (Delegates, FIDE Council, Zonal Council, FIDE Management, Commission Members) must register through the Olympiad’s official registration system.

The official port of entry and exit for the Chennai Chess Olympiad is Chennai International Airport (MAA) which is located 55 km from Mahabalipuram. Travel time is approximately 60 minutes. Welcome service and transportation from and to the airport will be provided free of charge.

MAHABALIPURAM — ONE OF TAMIL NADU’S TOP ATTRACTIONS

ATTRACTIONSAround 60 kilometres from Chennai on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, Mahabalipuram – the venue of the Chess Olympiad – is home to spectacular beaches, high-end resorts and world-class water sports facilities. It is also home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites called ‘Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram’. Dating from the 7th and 8th centuries, the site has 40 ancient monuments and temples. These include Arjuna’s Penance aka Descent of the Ganges, one of the largest open-air rock reliefs in the world. Also noteworthy are the Five Rathas or the Pandava Rathas, five monolithic temples projecting above the beach which have been carved in the shape of chariots. The group of monuments also includes cave temples, the Shore Temple, Mukundanayanar Temple and the spectacular Butterball Rock.

By successfully bagging the hosting rights of the Chess Olympiad – one of the most anticipated events in the world – Tamil Nadu has once again brought the spotlight on India and Chennai, as far as the world of chess is concerned.

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