It comes through in one of the city's oldest bridges being repainted in black and white squares, its metro trains and buses being adorned with posters promoting chess. The Tamil Nadu chief minister has even played a game of chess and ensured preparations are on track. Music maestro AR Rahman, an icon of the city, has composed the official tournament anthem.
It is hard to imagine most other places whipping up such fervour for chess, but it is perhaps par for the course in Chennai in the final build-up to the 44th edition of the Chess Olympiad. It will be held in Mahabalipuram, the coastal town 60km from Chennai that is renowned for its 7th century Pallava Era rock temples. The Olympiad will be held from July 28 to August 10.
The grand build-up by Chennai is to do justice to its reputation as India's chess capital. Of India's 74 Grandmasters (GMs), 26 or onethirds have come from Tamil Nadu, many from Chennai. The city adores its chess talent, and India's first International Master Manuel Aaron and first GM Viswanathan Anand-he is mentor to the Indian teams-coming from Chennai has only heightened that bond with fans.
This story is from the July 26, 2022 edition of Hindustan Times.
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This story is from the July 26, 2022 edition of Hindustan Times.
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