Chennai, All India Chess Federation Plans to Host More International Tournaments in India: President Narang

Chennai, All India Chess Federation (AICF) is gearing up to host more international tournaments in India to provide its top players with world-class competitions, announced AICF President Nitin Narang on Sunday.

Narang highlighted the importance of ensuring that all top players in the country have the opportunity to participate in big tournaments every year. To address this, AICF is planning to launch its own international ‘Super Tournament’, which will feature a reservation for Indian players along with invitations to overseas players.

“With Indian players consistently outperforming foreign players, we have observed that some global tournaments are limiting the number of Indian participants. In response, we are taking proactive steps to create more opportunities for our players,” Narang stated in an interview with PTI.

The federation is also focusing on hosting a maximum number of AICF-rated tournaments in the future. “We are working towards organizing an AICF round-robin elite tournament where the top Indian players will compete against each other. These initiatives will contribute to the growth of chess in the country,” Narang added.

In a significant move, AICF has announced an investment of Rs. 65 crore into the sport, marking the largest planned budget in the federation’s history. Narang revealed that they have already secured a commitment of Rs. 25 crore from sponsors for the next five years, with ongoing efforts to secure additional funding from corporates.

Furthermore, Narang emphasized the importance of gender equality in chess, stating that there will be no differentiation in prize money between male and female players. “Our approach is to provide equal opportunities and rewards to all players, regardless of gender. This inclusive approach will be maintained consistently across all levels of competition,” he affirmed.

Looking ahead, AICF is set to implement several key initiatives over the next three years to enhance the chess ecosystem in India. This includes establishing district-level associations, promoting chess in schools, introducing an AICF rating system, and setting up chess academies across the country.

Narang also revealed plans to launch 20 online academies in collaboration with renowned coaches and Grandmasters, with a vision to establish over 700 standardized academies nationwide. The funding support will extend to the top players in each age category, aiming to nurture and develop talent at the grassroots level.

With these ambitious plans in motion, AICF is poised to elevate the status of chess in India and create a thriving environment for players to excel on the international stage.