NAGPUR: Maharashtra Chess Association (MCA) will conduct the Rs 66 lakh prize money International Grandmaster (GM) chess tournament in the city from June 1 to 9.
A total of four tournaments including the second edition of Maharashtra GM international tournament, first state festival for below 2,000 and under 1,600 rating events and a unique Maharashtra Challenge Match between four players will be played in nine days. All the events are recognized by All India Chess Federation (AICF) and World Chess Federation (FIDE).
All the tournaments will be played at various halls of Naivedhyam Northstar on Koradi road, informed MCA president and MLA Parinay Fuke on Saturday. "We have organized two top competitions in Maharashtra. Since Mumbai and Pune hosted those events, an international level championship in Nagpur was round the corner. Thanks to the support of the state government and local associations we were able to conduct these tournaments in Nagpur."
The MCA vice president Abhijit Kunte said, "A total prize money of Rs 66 lakh will be on offer in Nagpur. We are expecting over 30 GMs and many top-rated players from 15 different countries. Players above 2,000 Fide rating will only be allowed in the second GM tournament."
The international GM tournament carries a prize money of Rs 25 lakh while Rs 10 lakh each will be distributed in the below 2,000 and 1,600 rating competitions. The Maharashtra Challenge Match carries a handsome cash prize of Rs 20 lakh.
CHALLENGE MATCH A FIRST FOR MAHARASHTRA'S BEST GMs VIDIT, RAUNAK
On the lines of the World Chess Championship where the reigning champion faced a challenger, the MCA will conduct the Maharashtra Challenge Match. Maharashtra's top two Grandmasters, India no.2 Vidit Gujrathi and 11th ranked Indian Raunak Sadhwani will challenge world's two experienced GMs Peter Svidler of Russia and UK's Nigel Short. Both Vidit and Raunak will play in the challenge format match for the first time.
While Vidit will face eight-time Russian champion Peter, Nagpur's first GM Raunak will square up against Nigel Short - first English player to play a World Chess Championship match in 1993 against Garry Kasparov. The challenge match will be played between June 1 and 6 in all the three formats of chess including classical, rapid and blitz. A total of four rounds each will be played in each format.
Raunak's father Bharat Sadhwani who attended the press conference said, "Raunak is really excited to play the challenge match. He is looking forward to playing this unique format."
