PM declares 44th Chess Olympiad open

Source: The post is based on the article “PM declares 44th Chess Olympiad open” published in PIB on 28th July 2022.

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has declared open the 44th Chess Olympiad at JLN Indoor Stadium, Chennai.

Note: Chennai is India’s undisputed chess capital as Tamil Nadu is home to 26 of the 74 Indian Chess Grandmasters. 

What is the 44th Chess Olympiad?

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Mascot: The Official Mascot of the 44th Chess Olympiad is ‘Thambi’. The word ‘Thambi’ in Tamil language means – little or younger brother.

What is the significance of the 44th Chess Olympiad in India?

This is the first time the Chess Olympiad is being held in the place of origin of chess, India. 

The Chess Olympiad is coming to Asia for the first time in 3 decades. The Philippines last hosted it from Asia in 1992.  

This Chess Olympiad has the highest ever number of countries participating. It also has the highest number of entries in the women’s section. 

The first ever Torch Relay of the Chess Olympiad also started from this time.