Delhi Joins Chennai and Singapore in Race to Host World Chess Championship Match

Delhi Joins Chennai and Singapore in Race to Host World Chess Championship Match

Delhi has thrown its hat into the ring to host the World Championship match between D. Gukesh and China’s Ding Liren, joining Chennai and Singapore in the race. The All India Chess Federation has backed Delhi’s bid, accusing the Tamil Nadu government of acting unilaterally by pushing Chennai’s name.

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) CEO Emil Sutovsky confirmed that all three cities have submitted their bids and meet the criteria. Chennai was the first to bid, followed by Singapore, with Delhi’s bid coming in last.

“The FIDE World Championship Match-2024 bids from Chennai, Singapore, and New Delhi all meet the criteria,” Sutovsky stated. The final decision on the host city will be announced later this month after the FIDE Council discusses the issue.

The bid from Chennai was made by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, while the All Indian Chess Federation bid for New Delhi. It is unusual for two entities from the same country to bid for the tournament, but FIDE does not prohibit it.

AICF president Nitin Narang confirmed that the national chess federation has bid for New Delhi as the venue for the title showdown and has obtained a no-objection certificate from the Indian government. However, he criticized the Tamil Nadu government for not consulting AICF before submitting its bid.

Gukesh, the youngest ever challenger for the world title, hails from Chennai and won the Candidates Tournament in Toronto in April. The total prize money for the 2024 edition is expected to be around USD 2.5 million, with a budget of Rs 8.5 million and a facilitation fee of USD 1.1 million required from the host city.

India has previously hosted the World Chess Championship in 2000 and 2013, with Viswanathan Anand claiming his first world title in 2000 and losing to Magnus Carlsen in 2013. The tournament is scheduled to take place in November-December this year, with regulations to be finalized by July 1.