Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tamil Nadu has a strong historical connection with chess and has produced many grandmasters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the inauguration event of the Chess Olympiad in Chennai, said the most prestigious event has come back home. The prime minister inaugurated the 44th Chess Olympiad, which is hosted by India for the first time.
The most prestigious event has come back to its home. This is the first time the Chess Olympiad is being held at its place of origin. It is coming to Asia for the first time in three decades,” PM Modi said.
“Sports have always been considered divine. The place in which it is happening is most fitting. In Tamil Nadu, you can find temple for Sathuranganathan. Even god played the game of chess. Tamil Nadu has a strong historical connection with chess. That’s why the state is the chess powerhouse of India,” he added.
PM Modi further stated that Tamil Nadu has produced many grandmasters and is also home of the oldest language in the world, Tamil.
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, Chief Minister M K Stalin and Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur among others were present during the opening ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor stadium in Chennai.
The tournament will feature three Indian teams each in the Open and women’s events. The legendary Viswanathan Anand will not be playing but will be seen in the role of a mentor to the players.
The Olympiad was moved out of Russia after it invaded neighbouring Ukraine earlier and was allotted to India with Chennai being chosen as the venue.
