Chess tournament held in India to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Russian House in Chennai

Jawaharlal Nehru Central Stadium hosted a chess tournament for children to mark the 50th anniversary of the Russian House in Chennai.

Welcoming the participants to the tournament, Gennady Rogalyov, Director of the Russian House, said: "Love for chess unites Russia and India. Celebrating the anniversary of the Russian House, we decided to hold a chess tournament, as chess holds a special place in our history. The Chess Club, named after the legendary Russian chess player Mikhail Tal, began its work almost from the moment it opened in 1972 (the Soviet Centre for Science and Culture). The careers of many talented Indian chess players have been launched at our club, including India's first ever world chess champion Viswanathan Anand."

A total of 410 children from all over Tamil Nadu participated in the tournament, which was held on the Swiss system in six rounds. All participants received certificates and commemorative badges to mark the anniversary of the Russian House. The winners were awarded trophies.

The venue of the tournament was not chosen by chance. The opening ceremony of the 44th World Chess Olympiad 2022 was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The event was organised by the Russian House in Chennai, the Chennai Chess Association and the India-Russia Sports Club.

The Russian House in Chennai aims to strengthen bilateral humanitarian cooperation between Russia and India, develop Indo-Russian scientific cooperation, promote Russian culture and education and strengthen the position of the Russian language in the region.

Photo: Russian House in Chennai