Chennai Ready for chess Olympiad

By Our Special Correspondent

The city embraced its chess roots by turning out in large numbers for the 'Olympiad Curtain Raiser Rapid Chess Tournament 2022' on Sunday. The one-day test meet, organized to iron out minor chinks ahead of the Olympiad, saw 1,414 players, including grandmasters from various countries, battle it out in over 6,000 matches.

GM Vishnu Prasanna justified his top billing by winning all his games (Swiss format). "This day-long program is a good exercise for us to look at some minor issues," R Anantharam, in-charge of the venue, told media. In the process, the meet set a world record for all games played on electronic boards.

Sports Development Minister Siva V Meyyanathan said that all preparations for the international event have been completed. Both the temporary structure, which is about 2/3 the size of a football field, and the permanent structure seem to be primed to welcome the athletes. Managers are confident that the nuts and bolts are screwed. Viewing galleries have also been arranged in two halls.

Around 4,000 policemen will be deployed at the venues and hotels of the athletes, 366 medical personnel and 30 ambulances will be ready and hospitals will also be kept ready in case of any emergency, the minister said.

To ensure that no mistake is made in the programme, Chief Minister MK Stalin has appointed senior officials from 19 departments and 47 types of food players will be put through quality checks by food safety officials.

Meyyanathan said that due to the intensive efforts of the state government in organizing the Chess Olympiad, the game has reached every corner of India. The Chess Olympiad torch lit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Mahabalipuram on July 27 after touring 75 cities of the country.

Sunday's event also had an exhibition feel, with some eight-year-olds playing with people six times their age. People from all walks of life had fun in the sun outside the convention center. The packed venue spoke volumes for the city's passion for the game.

Minister TM Anbarasan and MLA Udayanidhi Stalin were among the well-known personalities who made a few moves on the chess board to show their interest in the game.

A mini marathon was organized from Marina Beach to Lighthouse in the morning to create awareness about the Olympiad. Ministers Ma Subramanian, PK Shekhar Babu and Siva V Meyyanathan participated.