MUMBAI: The Commonwealth Chess Championships along with the International Open Chess Tournament will be held in Mumbai at the Tulip Star Hotel in Juhu from 20-27 April. Doordarshan will air the crucial matches live.

In addition, the live webcast will take place on the Commonwealth Chess Championship site. Word will be spread across prominent chess sites about the event. The Union Bank of India is one of the associate sponsors. The Maharashtra Chess Association (MCA) chairman RM Dongre said that a title sponsor is expected to be found within the next three days.

As reported a couple of months ago by indiantelevision.com over 30 grandmasters and 50 international masters will participate. The opening event, which takes place on 19 April, sees 15-year old Koneru Humpi playing games at the same time with 20
players. She gets a shot at both the women's as well as men's Commonwealth title.

Another major attraction is eight-year old prodigy Prasanna Rao. He had 11 wins in as many games at last year's Bournvita Chess Championship's under eight for boys.

In order to boost interest among school kids in the city the event will have under 8, 10, 12,14,16 and under 19 categories. The ten rounds take place in the morning from 9-1 pm and 2-6 pm in the evening. Grandmasters participating include Uzbekistan champion
Ruslan Kasimdzhanov, Maharshtra's Abhijit Kunte, Indian veteran Pravin Thipsay.

The prize money for the entire tournament is Rs 500,000 and the winner will get Rs 1,25,000. The Venus Chess Academy, which is affiliated to the All India Chess Federation is organising the event. The academy has acquired 2000 square feet space in Juhu and will start coaching for kids below the age of 15 from 14 April.

Also read:

India's chess federation seeks support for Commonwealth games