NEW DELHI: Carrying medal hopes of millions of chess followers of the country, an upbeat Indian contingent left the Capital on Thursday night for Turin for the 37th Chess Olympiad to be held from May 20 to June 4.

India's men's team has been seeded second, behind favourite Russia, and women's squad, ninth in the field of around 130 countries.

Though the women's team is likely to find it very difficult to make the top-10 bracket again, the men's combination is promising its best-ever finish in biennial event.

"We have the best chance to finish with a medal this time," said K. Sasikiran, who will be heading the Indian challenge in the first three rounds before Viswanathan Anand joins the squad from Sofia, where he is currently playing in the prestigious Mtel Masters.

Sasikiran, who returned from Sarajevo earlier in the day, was confident that all the players would get their act together and take India to the medal-bracket.

"It is important to win the early rounds with big margins and then stay in the hunt by not losing to the other contenders. Besides Russia, teams like (defending champion) Ukraine and Armenia, too, are very strong. In team events, a lot of strategies and factors are involved and I hope this time we get right," said Sasikiran.

P. Hari Krishna, who has come a long way since the last Olympiad in 2004, stressed the importance of scoring heavily in the last three rounds, as well. "This was what we could not do last time after doing so well in the first 10 rounds. In this format, every single game is important and therefore, the key lies in every player contributing his bit."

National champion Surya Shekhar Ganguly, too, was optimistic of India's medal chances and said, "It all depends on how we all support Anand.

"He is playing some truly fantastic chess at the moment and if can do what is expected of us, we should be able to win a medal."

For once, the Indian contingent will receive financial support from Canara Bank. Besides the ceremonial kit, apparel and sportswear, the bank has generously offered Rs. 5 lakh to Anand, Rs. 75,000 each to Sasikiran and Hari, Rs. 50,000 each to K. Humpy, Ganguly and Sandipan Chanda and Rs. 25,000 each to first-timer Diwakar Prasad Singh, D. Harika, Swati Ghate and debutant Mary Ann Gomes.

The squad:

Men: V. Anand, K. Sasikiran, P. Hari Krishna, Surya Shekhar Ganguly, Sandipan Chanda and D. P. Singh.

Women: K. Humpy, D. Harika, Swati Ghate and Mary Ann Gomes.

Coaches: Elizbar Ubilava (men) and Giorgi Giorgadze (women).

Managers: R. M. Dongre (men) and Bharat Singh Chauhan (women).

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