Chess Olympiad in India will add to our stature: Anand

Now, it’s official. Chennai will host the forty fourth Chess Olympiad, the most important congregation of gamers within the recreation, in July-August this 12 months. Since February 25, when India pitched in with a bid to carry the biennial spectacle following the choice of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) to maneuver the Olympiad from Russia after it launched a struggle in opposition to Ukraine, there was guarded optimism inside the Indian chess circles. Now there’s a sense of euphoria.

The Tamil Nadu Authorities, which provided a assure of ₹75 crore to the FIDE as a part of the AICF’s bid, has geared as much as make the occasion a mega success.

Minutes after FIDE introduced its determination, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Okay. Stalin tweeted, “Delighted that the Chess Capital of India is ready to host the forty fourth Chess Olympiad! A proud second for Tamil Nadu! Chennai warmly welcomes all of the Kings and Queens from all over the world!”

Within the phrases of an elated Viswanathan Anand, “As a world champion from my nation, being a number to one of many high chess occasions within the chess calendar is a way of private satisfaction. India has hosted many world class occasions and by internet hosting the Olympiad, we’d have hosted all of the necessary chess occasions in our nation. This may positively add to our stature as one of many foremost international locations in chess expertise and chess group.”

The FIDE Council additionally accepted the venue – the Conference Corridor of the 4 Factors by Sheraton on the previous Mahabalipuram Street, Chennai.

Within the competitors, as a number, India will get to subject two groups in every part, plus a 3rd group in case of odd-numbered entries.

In 2018, when Georgia hosted the earlier version of the Olympiad in Batumi, 918 gamers from 180 nations took half within the Open part and one other 747 from 146 international locations within the girls part. “We’re able to host even 2000 gamers plus officers,” mentioned a jubilant AICF secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan and continued, “We have now already booked enough rooms for gamers, officers and volunteers. I do know it’s a big logistical problem, however we’re dedicated to delivering a memorable Olympiad. On the organisational entrance, no effort will probably be spared to firmly set up India’s capabilities within the chess world.”

It’s learnt that round 3000 rooms have been blocked, together with round 1900 within the sea-facing five-star and four-star amenities dotting the East-Coast Street, close to the venue. To take care of the well being considerations following the pandemic, the medical historical past of every participant/official will probably be linked to the accreditation process. All lodges may have medics and ambulances out there always.

The AICF plans to arrange its Olympiad Secretariat near the venue for shut coordination with the Tamil Nadu Authorities. “Often, nations get 4 years to carry the Olympiad, however we now have lower than 4 months. Given our sources and preparedness, I’ve little question India will probably be prepared effectively earlier than that. Quickly, we will work round the clock to learn all from totally different time zones. Within the days resulting in the occasion, we’ll present all telephonic help in Spanish, French, German and Arabic, in addition to English. “I’m additionally delighted to share that the Indian group has obtained a sponsorship of ₹1 crore. Within the final Olympiad, the sponsorship quantity was lower than ₹25 lakh,” he revealed.

The uninterrupted dwell broadcast of all of the video games, throughout varied platforms, poses a serious problem for any host of the Olympiad. The AICF hopes to satisfy this monumental problem by having Chennai-based IT main Microsense Networks onboard to make sure flawless connectivity. Showing to have finished their homework effectively, the AICF and the T.N. Authorities appear to have prioritised the consolation of everybody from the main gamers to the 700 volunteers.

• Chennai will host the forty fourth Chess Olympiad, the most important congregation of gamers within the recreation, in July-August this 12 months.
• “As a world champion from my nation, being a number to one of many high chess occasions within the chess calendar is a way of private satisfaction”, mentioned Viswanathan Anand.
• The uninterrupted dwell broadcast of all of the video games, throughout varied platforms, poses a serious problem for any host of the Olympiad however the AICF hopes to satisfy this problem by onboarding Chennai-based IT main Microsense Networks to make sure flawless connectivity.