On July 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared open the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad. Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur, Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and many others attended the inaugural function.
Mr. Modi said this was the first time the Chess Olympiad was being held in the place of origin of chess, India. He said that it was coming to Asia for the first time in three decades. “Tamil Nadu has a strong historical connection with chess. This is why it is a chess powerhouse of India,” PM Modi said.
Also read: ‘Feels like a festival’: Praggnanandhaa on Chess Olympiad and meeting Rajinikanth
The world’s biggest team chess championship, featuring players from 187 countries, is taking place in Mamallapuram, and will conclude on August 10. The Olympiad was moved out of Moscow in Russia following the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Here are a few pictures from our photographers on the event.
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Indian chess player Arjun Erigaisi plays the game with Greek chess Grandmaster Dimitrios Mastrovasilis, on day three of the 44th Chess Olympiad.
Indian chess players Grand Master Abhijeet Gupta (left), Surya Shekhar Ganguly (2nd right) and Puranik Abhimanyu (right) before they play the Round-1 games on day three of the 44th Chess Olympiad.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, is seen with Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand on day 3 of the 44th Chess Olympiad.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin greets youngest chess player Randa Sedar, from Palestine, on day 3 of the 44th Chess Olympiad.
Indian chess players take photos on an autorickshaw, on day 3 of the 44th Chess Olympiad.
Chess players from several countries, who have come to Mamallapuram for participating at the Olympiad, enjoy a ride on a autorickshaw, on day 3 of the 44th Chess Olympiad, being held at Mamallapuram.
Indian chess players play on day 3 of the 44th Chess Olympiad, being held at Mamallapuram.
Indian chess player Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa plays on day 3 of the 44th Chess Olympiad, at Mamallapuram.
Indian women team 3 Chess players play on day 3 of the 44th Chess Olympiad.
A general view of the event on day 2 of the 44th Chess Olympiad, being held at Mamallapuram, on July 30.
Indian chess Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa plays on day 2 of the 44th Chess Olympiad.
Indian team mentor Viswanathan Anand interacts with the players. Also seen in the picture are Union Ministers Anurag Singh Thakur and L. Murugan.
Chess players from across the world participate in the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad, held at Mamallapuram near Chennai, on July 29, day 1 of the event.
Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports; L. Murugan, Union Minister for State Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying interacting with Indian player Konery Humpy along with Sanjay Kapoor, President of the All India Chess Federation (AICF) on day one of the 44th Chess Olympiad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds the Chess Olympiad Torch along with Tamil Nadu CM M. K. Stalin, and former Grand Master Vishwanathan Anand. Also seen in the picture are R. Praggnanandhaa, s. Vijayalakshmi, D Gukesh - all Grand Masters, at the opening ceremony of the Chess Olympiad held in Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai, on July 28.
Police personnel deployed at the 44th International Chess Olympiad, being held at Mamallapuram, on Thursday.
Police security personnel check the premises ahead of 44th Chess Olympiad, being held at Mamallapuram, near Chennai, on July 27, 2022.
Police security personnel with a sniffer dog check the premises ahead of the 44th Chess Olympiad, being held at Mamallapuram, near Chennai on July 27, 2022.