CHENNAI: Mamallapuram, Chennai is gearing up to greet and host the participants of the 44th Chess Olympiad scheduled from July 28th to 10th August.
The biggest ever chess extravaganza on Indian soil, with a record 187 countries in the fray and close to 1,800 players competing, will be the cynosure of all eyes for the next fortnight.
Chennai sports a chequered look these days, the bridges painted in black and white squares, the metros displaying chess boards and huge cut-outs of the mascot ‘Thambi’ standing at strategic entrances to welcome one and all. The venue is the Four Points by Sheraton and other Hotels in vicinity all booked by the All India Chess Federation (AICF) to accommodate players and officials.
With just five days to go for the Olympiad, teams have started trickling in with Madagascar being the first team to arrive.
‘We are fully geared up to receive the arriving teams” said Olympiad director Bharat Singh Chauhan.
Most of teams are expected to arrive on 27th July but those with not so frequent flight options may arrive early.
