Bengaluru, Jan 14 (UNI) Grandmasters GM Abhijeet Gupta of India and England’s Nigel Short will put their super mind to make an indelible mark in the annals of history when they face off with other contestants in the International Grandmaster Open Chess tournament to be held in Karnataka for the first time.
While grandmaster Abhijeet is the top seed with an Elo rating of 2605, Short is seeded third with a 2592 Elo rating in the tournament. The event will be played at Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru from January 18 to 26.
Karnataka’s first grandmaster MS Thej will also take part in the event.
The grandmasters meet will be hosted by the Bengaluru Urban District Chess Association (BUDCA) in association with the Karnataka government and under the roof of the Karnataka State Chess Association (KSCA).
As many as 40 grandmasters, including 20 from India will be hosted at the event, besides 2250 selected players will vie for prize monies across three categories – A, B and C.
The tournament has total prize money of Rs 50 lakh, and the winner and the runner-up will get Rs 4.5 and Rs 3.5 lakh, respectively.
Players above a 1900 FIDE rating will compete in the A category which has prize money of Rs 25 lakh. The other two categories offer a total prize money of Rs 12 lakh each.
Simultaneously, a Blitz Tournament, scheduled on January 22 with players from all ages will compete. This parallel competition ensures that enthusiasts of varying skill levels can immerse themselves in the thrill of the game.
Legendary Vishwanathan Anand will grace the occasion as chief guest and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will declare open the tournament.
Anand also will play an exhibition match symbolising the event’s significance and aligning BUDCA’s mission to elevate chess in Bengaluru and Karnataka.
Registration for Category A and B will close on January 15 and for C on January 18.
