India to bid for World Chess C’ship hosting rights

NEW DELHI, April 25: Newly-elected All India Chess Federation (AICF) secretary Dev Patel on Thursday said the country will bid for the hosting rights of this year’s much-anticipated World Championship clash between teen sensation D Gukesh and defending champion Ding Liren of China.
The dates and venue for the world championship, which will be held in the last quarter of the year, are yet to be finalised.
“We are open to discussion with FIDE, the apex chess body, and we are certain that the best world championship will be held in India,” Patel, who is only 24 said.“For me now, the most important aim is not to look at this as a World Championship proposal to FIDE, but to actually manifest this into making chess a popular sport in the country,” he added.
Patel said the AICF will contact FIDE on this matter on Friday. (PTI)