Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament: 2023 Edition
Inauguration of 21st Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament; Minister Parvesh Verma applauds budding chess prodigies
Get ready to see some intense chess action in the nation's capital! The 21st instalment of the Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament is here, and it's shaping up to be a spectacle worth watching. This biannual event has become a significant milestone in the Indian chess calendar and has contributed to the rise of several Indian chess prodigies.
Minister Parvesh Verma, in his inaugural address, expressed his pride for India's young chess players, including Gukesh Dommaraju and Vaishali Rameshbabu. He commended the organizers and the chess fraternity for their efforts in fostering young talent.
With a staggering prize pool of ₹1.21 crore - a 168% increase from the previous edition - this year's tournament promises to offer something truly exceptional. The competitions will take place from June 7-14 at the Tivoli Gardens, Chattarpur, New Delhi.
This marquee event on the FIDE World Championship Circuit has been a launchpad for many prominent Indian chess champions, including past winners Arjun Erigaisi and Aravindh Chithambaram, R. Praggnanandhaa, and World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, who secured his final GM norm at this tournament [1][3].
Organized by the All India Chess Federation, the Delhi GM Open has grown to become the largest classical-format chess tournament in Asia by participation. This year, the tournament expects over 2,500 participants from more than 15 countries, including 20 Grandmasters. The prize pool has seen a significant upsurge, making it an enticing proposition for the top players [3][5].
The competition will span three categories:- Category A: Open to internationally rated players with a prize pool of ₹51 lakh [3][4][5].- Category B and C: For players with ratings below 1900 and 1700 respectively, offering ₹35 lakh each [3][4][5].
The games will adhere to FIDE rules and the FIDE Swiss System format, with 10 rounds in every section. The Category A games will follow a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one, with the top three prizes set at ₹7,00,000, ₹6,00,000, and ₹5,00,000 respectively [1]. Players finishing within the top ten in this category will receive ₹1,00,000 or more.
Special prizes of ₹1,00,000 each will be awarded to the Best Female Player and Best Foreign Player [1]. Category B and C games will follow varying time controls [3][5]. Entry is free for Grandmasters, International Masters, Women Grandmasters, and Women International Masters [1].
As the tournament unfolds, let's hope for more history in the making and witness some epic battles on the chessboard!
References:[1] [ANI]/ The Tribune. New Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament officially inaugurated.[2] ChessBase India[3] The Bridge[4] Chess.com[5] Hindustan Times
The Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament, hosted in the nation's capital, is not only a significant event for Indian chess but also a platform for news and sports. With a prize pool of ₹1.21 crore, it's drawing attention from games enthusiasts, sports fans, and opinion makers alike, eager to watch the epic battles unfold on the chessboard. In this tournament, spectators will witness the progress of rising Indian chess prodigies like Gukesh Dommaraju and Vaishali Rameshbabu, Side by side with international grandmasters from more than 15 countries.
