Announcing the launch of its ambitious and much-awaited Indian Chess League, the All India Chess Federation said the tournament would boast the top players from both India and the world, with six franchise-owned teams and a competition that will span over two weeks, in a maximum of two Indian cities. It will be based on a round-robin format with the top two teams playing the final.
Indian chess players have welcomed the announcement with gusto. Grand Master Vidit Gujrathi, the second-highest FIDE-ranked Indian player after Vishwanathan Anand, was ecstatic as he joined the launch announcement from his residence in Nasik. Describing it as a competition that will "change the face of Indian chess in every way", Gujrathi said, "This is one of the biggest days in Indian chess. ICL has been a dream of many chess players and [gives] me something to look forward to. Due to the COVID lockdown since 2020, players have been wishing for more tournaments in India."
Young and budding chess players will now see the action at home and get inspired, he said.
Echoing Gujrathi's views, GM Dronavalli Harika said, "This [ICL] has been a dream for us chess players for so long. I am extremely happy and thankful that this is happening. It is a huge step towards the next level of chess in the country. It is important that more people get connected to the game and this is one way of doing so. I am sure the ICL will change the face of Indian chess."
AICF president Dr Sanjay Kapoor said he was happy that his team of office bearers was keeping the promises it had made while taking charge earlier this year. Calling it a dream coming true, Kapoor said the Indian Chess League would change the face of chess in the country. "It will help us attain our goal of becoming World No. 1 in the near future."
AICF secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan said there would be eight players in a team including 2 Super GMs, 2 Indian GMs, 2 Women GM and 1 Junior Indian Boy and Girl each. "The idea is to not only draw the best players from around the world but also to provide India’s players a formidable platform to sharpen their skills," he said.
Matches will be broadcast live. AICF will shortly announce the criteria and the bid process for franchise owners. Reportedly, big corporates that have been associated with Indian chess in the past have already expressed their interest to be part of the ICL.
Federation officials said they will approach all the top players in the world. Chauhan says they are confident top players will want to participate.
The prize money for the final winner will be at least Rs 2 crore, he added.
Chauhan allayed fears over the inaugural event being hampered by the pandemic, as nearly all chess action had already been moved online in the last two years. Pointing to competitions taking place now - like the FIDE World Championships, the AICF secretary said, "International events are happening already; AICF is out with its competition calendar for the coming year. We will follow all COVID protocols but life must go on."
AICF president Kapoor was asked about the ICL's sustainability and viability, in the backdrop of many non-cricket sports leagues in India running into trouble after launching- for example, leagues in wrestling, volleyball, table tennis and hockey. However, he was confident that ICL would learn from the mistakes made by others and would be a profitable, long term investment. "We are very optimistic; it differs from sport to sport. We will move forward keeping in mind the mistakes made by others."
AICF has roped in Gameplan Sports Private Limited as the official and exclusive Rights Holder to hold, organise, promote and market the ICL. Speaking about the economics and viability of the forthcoming League, Gameplan Director Jeet Banerjee said for a league to work, the entire economy has to work reasonably for all parties. "One good thing in chess is expectations economics-wise are not sky high as it hapens in other sports. We are delighted to partner with the AICF to make the Indian Chess League high quality. [We hope to] build a buzz around it, and make it into a viable and sustainable league that chess fans can enjoy," he said.
