Bhubaneswar, Jan 26:
Nine Grand Masters and 24 International Masters from across the world will be converging at the Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) here to take part in the 1st SOA International Grand Masters Chess Festival, commencing on January 28.
The tournament, which will have a total prize money of Rs. 35 lakh, is being organised by the All Odisha Chess Association (AOCA) with SOA’s support. The International Chess Federation (ICF), All India Chess Federation (AICF), Sports Authority of India (SAI), and Odisha government are backing the event, AOCA President Gobinda Chandra Mohapatra told newsmen here on Thursday.
SOA vice chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, who was present, said it was the first time that the university was organising an international sports event.
The AOCA president said around 800 chess players from at least 14 different countries are expected to take part in the eight-day tournament.
The participants will be split into three categories: A, B, and C with category ‘A’ having a total prize of Rs. 20 lakh. Category ‘B’ and ‘C’ will have prize money of Rs. 7.5 lakh each.
Some of the finest chess minds from Denmark, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Iran, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Belarus, Egypt, the Philippines, Russia, Kazakhstan, Zambia, Nepal, and hosts India will be taking part in the tournament, he said.
Mr. Mohapatra said as many as four Grand Masters, eight International Masters, one woman Grand Master, and three women International Masters from foreign countries will feature in the tournament.
Five Grand Masters, 16 International Masters, and six women International Masters from India have entered the fray.
The top three seeded players in the tournament are Indian Grand Master Diptayan Ghosh (2568 ELO points), Indian International Master Aronyak Ghosh (2541 ELO points), and Grand Master Fawzy Adham of Egypt (2522 ELO points).
The top three women players to have entered the event are Woman Grand Master Frayna J. Mae of the Philippines (2197 ELO points), Woman International Master Arpita Mukherjee of India (2186 ELO points), and Woman FIDE Master Nilssen E. Federica of Denmark (2184 ELO points), he said.
The tournament will be conducted as per the latest FIDE rules and FIDE Swiss system, with 10 rounds in Categories ‘A’ and ‘B’ and 9 rounds in Category ‘C’.
