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India Gazette
5 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
R Praggnanandhaa hails 'Chola Chess Initiative', speaks about sport's popularity
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 9 (ANI): Indian chess sensation R Praggnanandhaa on Wednesday lauded the Chola Chess initiative, highlighting its free-of-cost facilities and also pointed out the growing popularity of the game. The 19-year-old was speaking to ANI at the inauguration of the Chola Chess facility in Chennai, the initiative being a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by Cholamandalam Investment and Finance in association with Chess Gurukul, and aims to identify young chess talent across India. Speaking to ANI, he said, 'I myself have attended a Chola Chess camp three months ago. There are regular camps every month, and we go to train with grandmasters. There are so many facilities here that you can play blitz. It is all free of cost. It is an ecosystem where you feel chess everywhere. It is a great initiative, and I am happy to be at the inauguration event. Thirty-six camps have happened, and many more to come.' He also said that chess is gaining popularity and 'young kids are getting inspired to play chess'. 'The key is to have fun with the game... I take every tournament as it comes, and for me right now, my focus will be on the next tournament, which is a freestyle competition,' he added. Notably, India has been doing really well at the international level in chess as of late. D. Gukesh, the reigning World Champion and recipient of the AwaMajor Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna rd, secured a third-place position in the Norway Chess tournament, which concluded early in June. One of his standout moments during the competition was a win over world number one Magnus Carlsen, which was his first classical game win over him. Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi also finished fifth. Also, Aravindh Chithambaram clinched first place in the Stepan Avagyan Memorial Chess Tournament, and R Praggnanandhaa secured second place in the same tournament. The tournament was held from May 28 to June 6. (ANI)
India Gazette
19-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
PM Modi lauds Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh for defeating world number one in World Team Blitz Championships
New Delhi [India], June 19 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Indian chess grandmaster Divya Deshmukh for defeating world number one Hou Yifan in the second leg of the Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London. Taking to X, PM Modi posted, 'Congratulations to Divya Deshmukh on defeating the World No. 1, Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London. Her success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players. Best wishes for her future endeavours.' To this, Divya replied on X, 'Thank you, Respected Sir. It is a great honour and encouragement for me to be recognised by the Prime Minister.' Also, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also posted, 'Checkmate ! Heartiest congratulations to our chess star Divya Deshmukh on her stunning win over World No. 1 Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of the Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships in London. Wishing you the very best for the future games.' Notably, India has been doing really well at the international level in chess as of late. D. Gukesh, the reigning World Champion and recipient of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award secured a third-place position in the Norway Chess tournament, which concluded early in June. One of his standout moments during the competition was a win over world number one Magnus Carlsen, which was his first classical game win over him. Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi also finished fifth. Also, Aravindh Chithambaram, clinched first place in the Stepan Avagyan Memorial Chess Tournament, and R Praggnanandhaa, secured second place in the same tournament. The tournament was held from May 28 to June 6. (ANI)
India Gazette
12-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
TN Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin honours Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Chithambaram for top performances at international chess events
New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): The Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, congratulated the Tamil Nadu chess players, world champion D Gukesh, Aravindh Chithambaram, and R Praggnanandhaa for securing top positions in the international chess tournaments held in Norway and Armenia. A press release from the state government said, 'The Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin, today (12.06.2025) extended his congratulations to: D. Gukesh, the reigning World Junior Champion and recipient of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, for securing third place in the Norway Chess Tournament, Aravindh Chithambaram, for clinching first place in the Stepan Avagyan Memorial Chess Tournament, and Praggnanandhaa, for securing second place in the same tournament.' Chithambaram, by winning the Stepan Avagyan Memorial Chess Tournament, has now entered the top 10 of the FIDE world rankings. It is noteworthy that he also won first place in the Masters section of the Chennai Grandmasters Tournament held last year in Chennai, conducted by SDAT (Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu). Both Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa are beneficiaries of the Tamil Nadu Government's Elite Scheme for outstanding sportspersons, implemented through the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. Under this Elite Scheme, sportspersons who win medals in international competitions are provided with an annual grant of Rs 30 lakh to further enhance their skills. This financial support helps them acquire advanced sports equipment, train under world-class coaches abroad, and consistently participate in international competitions to showcase their talent. With three of the four Indian players ranked in the world top 10 in chess hailing from Tamil Nadu--thanks to victories in tournaments like the Norway Chess and the Stepan Avagyan Memorial--this achievement highlights the significant impact of the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu's efforts in making the state a global leader in the field of sports. This event was also attended by Atulya Misra, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary of Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department, and Mr. J Meghanath Reddy, IAS, Member Secretary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. (ANI)
