The world chess federation (FIDE), the All-India Chess Federation and the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoM), here on Friday, for the World championship match scheduled from November 6 to 26.
Speaking to newspersons, FIDE vice-president Israel Gelfer, also a member of the World championship committee, who is here to “finalise the arrangements” said the venue of the championship match (between Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen) would be finalised within 21 days.
“We are considering a couple of venues, and we are discussing them with the players. The final decision will be taken in two-three weeks,” he said.
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Asked if the spectators would be charged for entry, Gelfer replied: “It’s a bit too early to decide. When they (organisers) start preparations for the match they’ll decide.”
Gelfer expressed gratitude to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa for “accepting the FIDE proposal to have the match in Chennai.”
He said the biggest challenge would be to hold a successful match which would satisfy the players, media, spectators, organisers and the state government.
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AICF secretary Bharat Singh thanked the chief minister. “She has a great love for chess. We are grateful to her,” he said, while also thanking FIDE “for reposing faith in us.”
FIDE vice-president D.V. Sundar later read the broad outline of the MoU to the media.
Manuel Aaron, India’s first International Master and former AICF Secretary, said: “The match is definitely going to be better than any other World championship match.”