Anand’s title defence to begin with black pieces
By Express News Service – CHENNAI
Published: 08th November 2013 02:46 AM
Last Updated: 08th November 2013 02:46 AM

Taking pride in saying that India is the homeland of chess, the oldest intellectual game, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday declared open the FIDE World Championship Match 2013 at a grand function at the Nehru Indoor Stadium, here.

The draw by the Chief Minister gave challenger Magnus Carlsen the right to play with white pieces against world champion Viswanathan Anand in the opening game on Saturday.

Lauding Anand and Carlsen for their achievements, the Chief Minister said: “The entire atmosphere here is charged with intellectual voltage as both prepare vigorously for the epochal battle. This event is iconic and historic. We, in Chennai, wait with nail biting anticipation.”

Stating that chess was close to her heart and she regarded the game highly, both as a player and an enthusiast, Jayalalithaa said: “I invoke God’s blessings on both the players to realise their ambition and wish them both a long and glorious career for many more years to come.”

She said this period of time would be hailed in the chronicles of history as the ‘golden era of chess’ and for the first time India, the homeland of chess, would witness the complete set of games to be played as part of the World Chess Championship March being hosted in Chennai.

“It is an occasion which will set the tone and herald a new course in the Nation’s interest in this sport,” she noted.

She gave a long list of measures initiated for sports development, particularly for the game of chess during her tenures as Chief Minister.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, president, Federation Internationale Des Echecs (FIDE), School Education Minister K C Veeramani, P R Venkatrama Raja, president, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association were among those who spoke at the function.


Source: http://newindianexpress.com

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