CHESS OLYMPIAD TORCH ARRIVES IN CHANDIGARH
The Chess Olympiad Torch which was flagged off by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi from New Delhi on 19th June 2022 arrived in Chandigarh today. The torch was brought by Grandmaster Deep Sengupta at Rock Garden, who handed over the torch to the Chief Guest Sh. Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, Chandigarh in a special function being organised by Chandigarh Administration and Chandigarh Chess Association at Rock Garden today.
Smt. Sarbjit Kaur, Mayor Chandigarh was the guest of honour. Other dignitaries present on dais were, Sh. Anil Raina, Chairman, Chandigarh Chess Association, Grandmaster Deep Sengupta, Sanjay Tondon Chairman, Administrator’s Advisory Committee on Sports, Sh. Kuldeep Chahal, SSP Chandigarh,
Sh. Vinay Pratap Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh.
A simultaneous Chess event was also held with GM Deep Sengupta where top 9 rated players in under 15 categories played against him. At the end of the function Naveen Bansal Vice President and Senior Chess player of Chandigarh has received torch from SH. Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of U.T Chandigarh. The torch was finally handed over to GM Deep Sengupta for next destination (Patiala).
Sh. Purohit said, “ I am extremely happy to hear that for the very first time, the world chess federation has instituted the chess Olympiad torch which is part of Olympic tradition but never done in the chess Olympiad. Our country is the first country to have the chess Olympiad Torch Relay, taking the Indian roots of chess to a greater height, he further added.
All-India Chess Federation is hosting the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai (First time in India) from 28th July to 10th Aug 2022. A total of 187 countries are participating in this Chess Olympiad. The torch will travel across 75 locations in India, starting from New Delhi – Ending at Mahabalipuram, the venue of 44th Chess Olympiad.