Bangalore Gears Up to Host the 1st Bangalore International Grand Masters Open Chess Tournament

Bengaluru 17 September 2023: – The city of Bangalore is set to witness an epic clash of chess titans as the Bangalore Urban District Chess Association (BUDCA), under the auspices of the Karnataka State Chess Association, All India Chess Federation, and International Chess Federation, proudly presents the 1st Bangalore International Grand Masters Open Chess Tournament. Supported by the Government of Karnataka, Ministry of Youth Empowerment & Sports, Sports Authority of India, Karnataka Olympic Association, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Govt. of India and backed by FIDE, this historic event is scheduled to take place tentatively at the prestigious Kanteevara Indoor Stadium from 18th to 26th January 2024.

This tournament promises to be a spectacular display of chess prowess, with 1500 players from India and 18 other countries, including 50 Grandmasters, which will be a Norm event for norm seekers descending upon Bangalore. This event is a testament to the rising interest and popularity of chess in India, which now boasts over 80 Grandmasters with high rankings.

Indian chess has evolved beyond conventional boundaries and has produced a new generation of players who are making waves on the international stage. Players like D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nihal Sarin are leading the charge, redefining Indian chess and competing at the highest level. The recent FIDE Chess World Cup showcased their extraordinary talent, with Praggnanandhaa even reaching the final.

Despite its growing popularity, chess in India faces a sponsorship challenge. It is high time for corporate houses to invest more in this sport. The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is playing a pivotal role in fostering the game’s growth and development. For tournament-related information, please visit www.budca64.com

Today, a press conference was held and was attended by a number of notable individuals including Smt. Shubha Hebbar, Secretary of BUDCA, Sowmya M U, President of BUDCA, Mr. D P Anantha, President of KSCA, Mr. Arvind Shastry, Secretary of KSCA, WIM Miss Isha Sharma, Sujatha Arjun, Joint Secretary of BUDCA, Vidya Gururaj, Treasurer of BUDCA, Bhargavi Bharath, Vice President of BUDCA, Nalini Kumara, Vice President of BUDCA, Jayanthi Hanumantha, Vice President of BUDCA, and Vasanth B H, Joint Secretary of KSCA. This gathering of esteemed individuals showcased the importance and relevance of the event.