JOIN USIn the wake of Viswanathan Anand’s fifth world title, the All India Chess Federation has decided to promote the game by increasing the prize money of many tournaments besides introducing new events.
The AICF will spend Rs 50 lakh more on prize money starting this year. The cash awards to medal winners in Asian and World championships have been doubled with immediate effect and the National premier championships will have a bigger prize purse from next year.
The AICF will contribute Rs six lakh while the organising association will have to ensure the remaining Rs 4 lakh to make it a million rupees championship. In the women’s tournament, the AICF will contribute Rs 3.5 lakh to the existing 2.5 lakh to make it a Rs six lakh prize money event.
The format of National championships will also be changed from next year. It will be an elite event with only 14 players participating instead of the present 45. There will be no direct entry except for the defending champion and top four rated players of the country. The remaining nine will qualify from the national challengers.
In addition to this, the AICF announced a total of Rs 20 lakhs for two high category events for men and women. For the men’s tournament, the total prize fund of Rs 12 lakh will be given by AICF while for the women’s, it will give Rs 8 lakh.
For the first time in the history of Indian chess, there will be eight international open events in the country starting this year.