When organisers of chess’ Chennai Grand Masters went right into a huddle a few months again, nonetheless good distance from placing the event in place, they confronted an all-important query. With the chess calendar already packed and many of the high gamers having their eyes set on the World Fast and Blitz event and plenty of staying within the consolation of Europe, they had been not sure if any of the highest gamers will even remotely present curiosity in that includes in a event.
With the London Chess Traditional and World Fast and Blitz occasion sandwiched between the marked window, pulling high gamers for an invitational occasion was the most important problem.
Although this was India’s highest ranked competitors (2711), it was a standalone occasion, a primary of its sort within the nation. There was no historical past or custom related to it like Tata Metal Chess occasion in Kolkata or another Fide tournaments on the circuit. As GM Srinath Narayanan, a part of the organising committee for the Chennai Grand Masters, reached out to the lot, he says the reception was overwhelming.
“I feel the success of the Olympiad (final 12 months) helped in individuals having a beneficial notion in the direction of travelling to India and committing to the event. So, as such after we contacted the gamers for the event, we principally obtained beneficial response for coming over right here and taking part in. After which India has been one of many superpowers in chess in the previous couple of years. So now we have the infrastructure and a creating eco-system which is pulling the gamers. I might say everybody is aware of what India is they usually had been ready for a brilliant event of this type,” Srinath tells The Indian Specific.
This event permits the scope of including just a few ELO factors wanted by these within the fray for the Candidates, which meant the likes of D Gukesh, Ajrun Erigaisi, Parham Maghsoodloo didn’t assume twice earlier than committing.
Levon Aronian too agreed to return over and Alexandr Predke, Pavel Eljanov, Sanan Sjugirov all flew down regardless of a few of them having the choice to play within the Bundesliga.
“It’s a reasonably robust event with robust gamers within the fray. It’s thrilling for the most effective place on this planet to play towards our greatest gamers. And there’s additionally the added aspect of this being one of many final tournaments within the circuit this 12 months. It didn’t require lot of convincing as a result of I feel the principle factor is the type of opposition you’re taking part in and the situation,” Srinath provides.
The tight calendar meant, among the gamers arrived within the metropolis solely on the event eve and within the opening spherical, many had been nonetheless complaining about jet lag and lack of sleep. Aronian, particularly, who drew with Gukesh stated he had solely 5 hours of sleep since touchdown in Chennai on Thursday. “We had solely round 40 days to place this occasion in place and it was shut. The thought had been there for a number of months, however concrete plans got here into place solely two months again. However I feel now we have received begin when it comes to the gamers now we have on board,” Srinath says.
That the Tamil Nadu authorities confirmed curiosity straightaway to host the occasion did assist an awesome deal in pulling off the event at a brief discover. Having hosted the Olympiad efficiently final 12 months, it’s understood that the state authorities is working to make this occasion an annual affair, significantly due to the next the game enjoys in these components. “Final 12 months, I didn’t get to get pleasure from Chennai as a result of we had been principally stationed at Mahabalipuram for the Olympiad. However I do know this metropolis has an extended standing custom with chess and I didn’t should assume twice earlier than agreeing to return,” Aronian stated.