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AAI International starting tomorrow |
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Monday, 20 June 2011 18:19 |
 Big time chess returns to India with the highest-ever rated AAI International Grandmasters Chess Tournament organized by the Airports Authority of India.
The AAI, which is a leading Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, as part of its Centenary Celebration of Civil Aviation in India, is organizing “AAI International Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2011”, which will feature six of the most promising young talents in the game from all over the world.
This will be India’s first ever Category 17 chess tournament with a unique group of six grandmasters playing in a double round robin event from June 21 to July 2, 2011. The venue will be the AAI Officers’ Institute near Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi.
Led by world No.1 GM Fabiano Caruana of Italy and the women’s World Champion Hou Yifan of China, the field includes Philippines No. 1 GM Wesely So; Czech Republic No. 2 GM Viktor Laznicka; Indian No. 2 GM K Sasikiran and Indian National Champion GM Parimarjan Negi.
Keeping pace with other high-profile events globally, the tournament will offer total prize money worth US $ 24,500. The winner takes $ 8,000, while the runner-up will receive $ 6,000. The purse for the next four finishers will be $ 4,000, $ 3,000, $ 2,000 and $ 1,500.
“The game was given to the world by India and we also have the world champion from India in Viswanathan Anand. So it is only logical that the AAI supports an endeavour which showcases India’s ancient game and young talent from around the world,” said Mr. V P Agrawal, Chairman Airports Authority of India at the first Press Conference held to launch of the tournament.
“We have been supporting various games and young sportspersons, including chess. Parimarjan Negi, the current National champion, and who has broken many records and Dronavalli Harika among women are supported by AAI. Negi, incidentally will also feature in AAI International Grandmasters Chess Tournament,” added Mr. Agrawal.
Official website
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