Chess Olympiad: PM Modi inaugurates 44th edition in Chennai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the 44th Chess Olympiad open at a grand function held at JLN Indoor Stadium, Chennai on Thursday. R N Ravi, Governor of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin, Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur and L Murugan, President of International Chess Federation (FIDE), Arkady Dvorkovich, were also present on occasion. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed all the players and chess lovers from all over the world to India. He noted the significance of the time of the event as it falls during the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'. He added that the most prestigious tournament in chess has come to India, the home of chess. Prime Minister noted that the 44th Chess Olympiad has been a tournament of many firsts and records. This is the first time the Chess Olympiad is being held in the place of origin of chess, India. It is coming to Asia for the first time in 3 decades. It has the highest ever number of countries participating. It has the highest ever number of teams participating. It has the highest number of entries in the women's section. (ANI)