PM Modi to declare 44th Chess Olympiad open in Chennai

• Integrity Education, Delhi
• 28, Jul 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will declare the 44th Chess Olympiad open in the grand inauguration programme being organised at JLN Indoor Stadium, Chennai this evening. Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur will also grace the event.

Prime Minister had also launched the first-ever Chess Olympiad Torch Relay at the Indira Gandhi National Stadium in New Delhi on 19th of last month. The torch travelled to 75 iconic locations in the country for over a period of 40 days, traversing close to 20 thousand kilometres. It culminating in Mahabalipuram, before heading over to the FIDE Headquarters, Switzerland.

The 44th Chess Olympiad is being held in Chennai from 28th July to 9th August. The prestigious competition, which has been organised since 1927, is being hosted in India for the first time and in Asia after 30 years. With 187 countries participating, this will be the largest participation in any Chess Olympiad. India is also fielding its biggest ever contingent in the competition comprising 30 players across 6 teams.

AIR correspondent reports that security has been tightened at Chennai in the event of the Prime Minister's visit and the Chess Olympiad. Raj Bhavan and iconic places in the city are brightly lighted for the occasion. According to FIDE, a total of 187 countries will be playing in the game. The FIDE Congress will  be held at Chennai to elect its President on August 7.

The Olympiad relay which began at New Delhi was received by  International Masters L.R.Srihari,G.B.Harshvardhan and the local administration authorities  at the iconic Mamallapuram shore Temple amidst celebration of hundreds of chess enthusiasts. The Torch will reach the Nehru Stadium today for the inaugural . FIDE has designated 2022 as the Year of the Woman in Chess and one of the most decorated pavilions is the Queens Pavilion where Chess moves ahead. 25 Indian chess players will represent three teams in the Open section and two teams will play in the women's section. The Tamilnadu Government has announced health insurance for all the players participating in the event.

Source: News on Air