PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Aug 12: The fourth edition of Tata Steel Chess India (TSCI) would witness the introduction of a women’s tournament.
The open tournament has been on for three editions now and in its fourth edition, TSCI will have a women’s tournament with the same format – rapid and blitz.
The tournament will take place from November 29 to December 4 in Kolkata.
Top international Grandmasters, top Indian men and women Grandmasters, young Indian talents and Viswanathan Anand as the ambassador and advisor of the tournament will enrich this year’s competition.
For the first time in the history of the game, the prize fund for both the men’s and women’s categories will be equal.
Women Grandmasters who have already confirmed their participation are Anna and Mariya Muzychuk from Ukraine, Nana Dzagnidze from Georgia and Alina Kashlinskaya from Poland.
Indian chess superstars Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli will be joined by rising star Vaishali R – all of who were a part of the Bronze-winning team at the recently concluded Chess Olympiad in Chennai.
Viswanathan Anand, ambassador of Tata Steel Chess India, said: “I am extremely delighted that today chess is considered a mainstream sport. Tournaments like Tata Steel Chess India where our young players fight it out with International Grandmasters really help the cause of producing newer champions. Today, India is considered a chess powerhouse with both men and women excelling in the sport. The introduction of the women’s tournament with equal prize money as the men’s category is a welcome move and an excellent initiative and we hope it is as well-received by the chess enthusiasts. Chess is and should be an equal sport.”
Bharat Singh Chauhan, honorary secretary, AICF, said: “We as a national body for promoting chess are extremely happy to witness resurgence and renewed interest towards this sport from the people of the country. The recently concluded Chess Olympiad is an example of the growing importance of chess in India. Over the past few years, Tata Steel Chess India is helping to popularize the sport and take the game to every corner of the country. And this year, the addition of the Women’s tournament is a welcome development.”
