Record entries for Delhi chess meet

The 14th edition of the Delhi International chess tournament has drawn a record number of 1,400 entries in three categories for a `35 lakh prize fund.

The biggest open event on the Indian calendar is even bigger this year with the highest ever prize money on offer and has drawn world class players like Boris Grachev of Russia who is the top seed in the A group.

The Indian challenge will be spearheaded by Grandmaster and former Commonwealth champion M.R. Lalith Babu, seeded 10th in a star studded field comprising 21 Grandmasters and 20 International Masters.

The B group that started alongside the main event on Saturday has 523 participants while the C group remains the biggest draw, the list touching 800. With entries still pouring in, the organisers are sure to cross the 1600 mark, which is a shade more than last year.

The A group also gives opportunities for players to get international title norms and there are ample title holders to facilitate the norms of candidates who perform well. There are more than a handful of Indian talents here vying for their respective title norms.

“This remains a good opportunity for any chess player in our country as well as abroad. Having started with Rs 3.5 lakh in 2002, the tournament prize fund has grown 10 times in 14 editions”, said Bharat Singh Chauhan, president of the Delhi Chess Association.

On Saturday the Ludlow Castle Sports complex was bustling with players eager to make their moves. All the three categories are open to all participants and the registration for the C group is open till January 12.

There will be ten rounds in all categories.