ET Online and Agencies
Jun 20, 2022
The 44th Chess Olympiad will be held in Mahabalipuram near Chennai from Jul 28 to Aug 10 this year.
Image Source: PTI
In nearly 100 years of the Olympiad, India will be hosting the prestigious event for the first time.
Image Source: BCCL
International chess body, FIDE, for the very first time has instituted a torch relay for the event.
Image Source: PTI
That's symbolically apt, as chess is believed to have evolved from the ancient Indian game chaturanga.
Image Source: Agencies
PM Narendra Modi flagged off the torch relay by handing it over to chess legend Viswanathan Anand.
Image Source: PTI
The torch will be taken to 75 Indian cities in a span of 40 days before arriving in Mahabalipuram.
Image Source: PTI
On the occasion, PM Modi made a ceremonial move on the board against woman Grandmaster Koneru Humpy.
Image Source: PTI
The event was originally to be held in Minsk, but was shifted to Chennai because of the Ukraine war.
Image Source: PTI
188 countries have registered for the Olympiad; top players, including Magnus Carlsen, will participate.
Image Source: Getty Images
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