Kolkata: Leading sports portal Xtra Time in association with Chesspert will organise its maiden All India Open Rapid FIDE Rating Chess Tournament in Kolkata. The tournament will be held at the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra on May 17-18. The tournament will see as many as six Grand Masters and 3 International Masters vying for top honours. The tournament has already generated a huge interest among the young chess players. The registrations for the tournament has already started and will go on till May 10.
Speaking about the tournament, Greymind Communication Pvt. Ltd. Director Anilava Chatterjee, “The objective of the tournament will be to spread the sports among the young generation. Chess is already a popular sport amongst the kids in these parts. Already GM Saptarshi Roy Chowdhury, GM elect Arghyadip Das, reigning National Blitz Champion Prantik Roy have confirmed their participation in the tournament. Hopefully the tournament will be a grand success.”
According to Mr Sk Shahid Ahmed, Founder of Chesspert, ” The reason behind organising this tournament is to give everyone a chance to be familiar with the rapid time control as National Rapid Chess championship which will be held in Kolkata is less than 3 months away.”
Talking about the prize money, Mr Ahmed said, “The idea was to encourage the amateurs who don’t get a lot of time to play even if they want to or barely play chess tournaments anymore. Basically it is to encourage them to get back into what they love doing most, play good games of chess.”
India has the highest number of rated players by FIDE (Federation Internationale des Echecs or World Chess Federation). That perhaps, explains the growing popularity of chess among students today.
The total prize money of the tournament is INR 6,00,000. A total number of 134 prizes will be up for grabs. The tournament will be conducted as per FIDE Laws of Chess and FIDE Swiss System with 10 rounds.