) The 1st ever Chess Olympiad Torch Relay arrived at Vadodara from Kevadia with huge cheers as players in big numbers were present to welcome the torch at Waghodia Sports Complex on Waghodia road. The torch was welcomed with huge cheers by the players and in the presence of Cabinet Minister Rajendra Trivedi. It then moves towards Surat through Pratapnagar bridge, Bhavans school, Makarpura palace.
A special chess game involving 21 players and two grandmasters playing the game simultaneously with them. A sence of enthusiasm was seen in the players as everyone welcomes the historical moment of 1st ever Torch Relay for Chess Olympiad in Vadodara.
Cabinet minister Rajendra Trivedi said, Chess is originated from India and whole world take notice of it. Its a matter of pride that after 30 years the Chess Olympiad is organized in India. The 44th Chess Olympiad torch relay starts on June 19 and will move through various states. I urge kids to leave the mobile demon and turn towards the mental game of chess. He also request the parents to help their children to play chess and sharpen their minds. He appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts to popularise the game. He gives example of Covid vaccination and brought back the medical students of war affected Ukraine safely which make the Prime Minister a world leader.
Collector Atul Gor, grandmasters Ankit Rajpara, Tejas Bakre, Gujarat State Chess Association President Bhavesh Patel, Vadodara District Chess Association President M.G. Bhatt, District Sports development officer Jayesh Bhalawala, District Youth Development officer Ketul Maheria along with other dignitaries remain present at the event.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the historic torch relay for the 44th Chess Olympiad at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi in a glittering ceremony. The event was attended by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich who handed over the torch to the Prime Minister, who in turn handed it over to Indian chess legend, Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand. This marked the start of a 40-day torch relay that will cover 75 cities in India across the 36 States and Union Territories. This is in commemoration with the theme of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
For the first time in the history of the prestigious competition, India not only hosts the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad but is also the first country that starts off a torch relay that has been instituted by FIDE for the first time in the history of the competition which started in 1927.
Acknowledging India’s stature as the country where Chess was born, from now on, the Olympiad Torch will travel from India to the host nation during every Chess Olympiad.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role in creating a new tradition for the Chess Olympiad.
The 40-day torch relay will see some of the best stars from the Indian chess community carrying the torch. The torch rally will culminate in Mahabalipuram, before heading over to the FIDE Headquarters, Switzerland.
Besides the torch rally, cultural events, interactive tours and other events are planned during the relay.
India is hosting the prestigious Chess Olympiad for the first time and in the process, Asia gets to host the event after a gap of 30 years. Philippines last hosted it from Asia in 1992. Being the host, India is set to field 20 players – their biggest ever contingent – at the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad. India is entitled to field 2 teams each in the Open and Women’s category. Over 2000 participants will be representing at the event from 188 countries. The 44th Chess Olympiad will be held in Chennai from July 28 to August 10, 2022.
In 1924 first time Summer Olympics was held in Paris and also unofficial Chess Olympiad held for the first time in Paris. FIDE was formed on 20 July 1924 and until World War II, Olympiads were held occasionally, annually and at irregular intervals. From 1950 it held regularly every two years.
In 2010 with an aim to popularise the game of Chess, the then Gujarat Chief Minister and present Prime Minister Narendra Modi make 1 lakh people play Chess together and registered a world record. It shows his interest towards the game.
After 95 years there are around 73 grandmasters in India which includes world champion Vishwanathan Anand. In Gujarat Tejas Vakare and Ankit Rajpara like grandmasters take the game of chess to new heights. Dhyani Dave, Dhyana Patel, Jeet Jain, Vishwa Vasanwala, Manush Shah, Moksh Doshi like international players are also making the state proud.
India will be hosting the chess Olympiad for the first time and in Asia after a gap of 30 years. In 95 years of history till date only two Asian countries host the Chess Olympiad.
