Indians will need big chess moves

THE visas have come. The players have arrived. The chess sets have landed. The preparations are complete, well almost.

In a few hours, the first moves will be made in Toronto to identify the next two Challengers to take on the respective world champions in two title matches later this year. In terms of pressure, the two World Championships (Open and Women) stand alone.

But in the world of elite chess, the Candidates is a sort of Worlds before the actual Worlds.

For it is long, brutal, and involves duelling against seven of the world's best twice in three weeks for a shot at the world title.