10 GMs, 20 IMs for National 'A' chess from September 4

Chennai, Sep 2 (UNI) Ten Grand Masters, 20 International Masters two woman Grand Masters, one FIDE Master and 13 national level players will clash for the title in the 45th National 'A' Chess Championshi to be held here from September 4 to 15.

Announcing this at a press conference All India Chess Federation (AICF) Secretary D V Sundar said Surya Sekhar Ganguly was the defending champion and added the youngest GM Parimarjan Negi would also be seen in action.

The championship would enable the players to gain IM and GM titles.

Mr Raja said the time control in the championship would be 90 minutes for the first 40 moves and 15 minutes for the remaining moves with a time increment of 30 seconds for each move starting from move one.

The Indian team for all international tournaments, including the Chess Olympiad at Dresden in Germany, would be selected based on a player's performance in this championship, he added.

Prof R Anatharaman would be the chief arbiter.

Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Sports and Youth Affairs Mani Shankar Aiyar would give away the prizes as the chief guest of the closing ceremony.

UNI