Expect multiple-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand to take up a different role in chess in coming months. The Indian chess grandmaster revealed today that the current International Chess Federation (FIDE) president Arkady Dvorkovich has requested him to be part of his team, when the next FIDE elections take place on August 1, 2022, alongside the FIDE Chess Olympiad in Chennai.
Anand, however, did not say what role he will be donning.
The cat was let out of the bag by Dvorkovich during the official handing over of the hosting rights to India for the organisation of the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2022 during an event in New Delhi today. India secured the bid to host FIDE Chess Olympiad 2022 in Chennai earlier this year. Asked whether he would stand for a re-election, the Russian said yes and also added that “Vishwanathan Anand will be huge part of my team”.
Said Anand, “For the moment, we haven't decided. That stage will come later. I told them I am willing to work alongside them - they are doing good work. For the moment, we are in general agreement that I will be part of his team.
“He offered that we could work together as part of his team. I am happy to contribute.”
Meanwhile, an ecstatic All India Chess Federation (AICF) has already hit the ground running to organise the best ever FIDE Chess Olympiad. AICF president Sanjay Kapoor said, "The FIDE Chess Olympiad has never been hosted in India, but in 2022, the long wait is finally over. It's a matter of pride for the entire country to host this event. Going by the number of countries participating in the tournament, it will be the biggest sporting competition ever hosted in India."
The FIDE Chess Olympiad 2022 will take place from July 28 – August 14, 2022 in Chennai. Over 2,000 participants will battle it out for the top prize. India won the bid after original hosts Russia were stripped of their hosting rights due to its invasion of Ukraine.
Tournament director and AICF secretary general Bharat Singh Chauhan said, "This is a historic moment for the All India Chess Federation and all of us. This is going to be the biggest sporting event hosted by India. We are expecting participants from 160-190 countries. We are going to host this event with the support of all chess players."
The Tamil Nadu government, too, is going all out to ensure the Chess Olympiad is a “grand success”.