Chennai will host the World Chess Championship

Reigning world chess champion Viswanathan Anand will defend his title against challenger Magnus Carlsen of Norway in November in Chennai. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa informed the Assembly (April 08, 2013) that the World Championship for 2013 would be held in Anand’s hometown between November 6 and 26 and the government would allot Rs. 29 crore for the event.

Making a suo motu statement, Ms. Jayalalithaa said when the World Chess Federation president Kirsan Illyumzhinov met her in 2011, he requested her to hold the World Chess Championship in Chennai. She agreed to do so at a cost of Rs. 20 crore.

She said that, it failed to materialise as Russia made the highest bidding for the championship. Since Tamil Nadu came forward to organise the event in 2012, the World Chess Federation agreed to hold it in Chennai without bidding.

Earlier Tamil Nadu government banned Asian Athletics Meet (Scheduled to be held at Chennai) citing the reason Sri Lankan players participation will hurt the Tamil People sentiments. More recently Tamil Nadu government banned Lankan players participations in IPL matches that will happen in Chennai. Gone is Asian Athletics, coming is World Chess Championship.

Related Links:

IPL matches with Lankan players must not be played in TN

Jayalalithaa's letter to PM on IPL matches in Chennai

IPL withdraws Sri Lankan players from Chennai