CHENNAI : Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) will be hosting an International Chess Federation (FIDE)-rated Rapid Chess Tournament on 30th and 31st March 2024. More than 35 players from IIT Madras are taking part in the event. IIT Madras is the only IIT in the country that organizes an Open Rapid Rating tournament every year.
The ‘6th Shaastra Rapid FIDE Rated Chess Tournament’ is set to witness six Grandmasters, sixteen International Masters, three Women Grandmasters and a Women International Master. Additionally, players from various countries including Australia, England, the USA, and Singapore, are set to participate in the event.
The total prize fund of the tournament is ₹5,00,000 with the first prize being ₹65,000. The tournament not only offers substantial prize funds but also attracts a diverse range of players, contributing to the growth of chess culture within the institute and beyond.
Speaking about the event, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, said, “With the introduction of Sports Quota for UG admissions at IIT Madras, these events shall further reinforce our commitment to ensure holistic development of students as envisaged in the National Education Policy 2020.”
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is the governing body of the sport of chess, and it regulates all international chess competitions. FIDE was one of the first International Sports Federations, alongside the governing bodies of football, cricket, swimming and auto racing.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Sathyanarayana N Gummadi, Dean (Students), IIT Madras, said “It is my pleasure to invite all participants, speakers, judges, and other stakeholders to our campus as part of the 6th edition of the tournament. I believe this two-day chess tournament will bring people together, encourage collaboration, and inspire new ideas and strategies while fostering the spirit of the game. I extend my heartfelt wishes to all the players for a challenging yet rewarding experience.”
Looking forward to the Chess tournament, Prof. V. Sriram, Advisor (Co-curricular), IIT Madras, said, “Tamil Nadu is the chess powerhouse of India with Chennai being at the heart of it. Hosting FIDE-rated tournaments like the Shaastra Rapid Chess event allows participants to test their abilities, improve their ratings and gain valuable experience. The chess tournament provides the chess enthusiasts of IIT Madras a chance to experience an elite tournament within the institute itself.”
The tournament is FIDE rated meaning that new players have a chance to get a FIDE rating. This year’s event has a participation of more than 500 players from different countries. The players range in age from as young as six to as seasoned as 72, proving that the passion for the game of chess knows no age limit. The top 15 boards will be broadcast live on various online chess platforms so that everyone can follow the games.
Sharing their experience organizing this event, Mr. Nithin S, Student Co-Curricular Affairs Secretary, IIT Madras, & a Fifth Year IDDD Student, IIT Madras, said, “Considering the surge in chess popularity in India lately, thanks to amazing talents like Mr. Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, organizing a massive tournament like this is truly thrilling. With a total prize fund of Rs. 5 Lakh, this year’s edition is set to be the largest yet, featuring over 500 players from five different countries. It is incredible to see the game bringing together enthusiasts from all around the world. It is a testament to our dedication and our commitment to enrich the academic and extracurricular experiences of our student community.”
Mr. Veera Phani Sai Teja, Institute Chess Captain and Student Publicity Strategist, Shaastra 2024-IIT Madras, and a Third Year CSE Student, IIT Madras added, “As someone who loves chess, it is really exciting to put together a big tournament like this, especially with some of the best players from our country involved. We had such a great response from players that we reached our limit way before the tournament even commenced. This year, we are stepping things up by using special DGT boards for our top players and live-streaming the action for the top matches. It is a fantastic chance for chess enthusiasts here at IIT Madras to test their skills against some of the world’s top players.”
Some of the key players taking part in 6th Shaastra Rapid FIDE Rated Chess Tournament include:
⮚ GM Srinath Narayanan – captain of the Indian Chess Team at the 2022 Asian Games where the team won a silver medal
⮚ GM Vishnu Prasanna
⮚ GM Pranesh M
⮚ GM Deepan Chakkravarthy
⮚ GM R.R. Laxman
⮚ GM Bharath Subramaniyam
⮚ WGM Rakshitta Ravi
⮚ WGM Srija Seshadri
⮚ WGM Varshini V
