Gujarat, the traditional chess hub of Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, will be in the running to host the event.
Indian Chess Federation (AICF) Secretary Dev Patel said the country will bid to host the World Championship later this year. The showpiece clash will take place between Chennai’s D Gukesh and defending champion Ding Liren of China. The dates and location for the championship game have not yet been finalized.
D Gukesh earned the right to participate in the World Chess Championship match through his success at the Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto, Canada. The 17-year-old became the youngest contender for the world title.
“We are open to discussion with FIDE, the apex body of chess, and we are confident that the best championship in the world will be held in India,” said Patel, who is only 24 and heads the Association of Gujarat failures, to news agency PTI.
“For me now, the most important objective is not to consider this as a proposal for a FIDE World Championship, but to realize this by making chess a popular sport in the country,” he said. added.
Patel said the AICF would contact FIDE about the matter on Friday. Gujarat, the traditional chess hub of Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, will be in the running to host the event.
Talking about his expertise in the game, the youngest AICF secretary said that he had a good idea about the requirements of the players.
“I understand the complexity of the game and I also know that parents, coaches and other people who support them literally have to do a lot to make Gukesh or any other star,” he said, referring to his administrative experience at the head of the Gujarat association.
“And surely chess will win,” said Patel, who was elected to power last month.
