The Chennai Super Kings 5th International Grandmaster chess tournament 2013 was inaugurated in a colorful function at Media Hall, Nehru Stadium, Chennai here today. The tournament that has attracted 50 titled players including 13 Grandmasters was inaugurated by Shri M Balasubramaniam, Director, Brookefields & Spencer Plaza who made the symbolic first move against Shri Bharat Singh, Hon. Secretary, All India Chess Federation.

Shri D V Sundar, Vice President, FIDE in his welcome address mentioned that Chennai is Mecca of Indian chess and added that Tamil Nadu has produced India's first International Master in Manuel Aaron, first Grandmaster in Viswanathan Anand, first Woman Grandmaster in Vijayalakshmi, first International Arbiter in Kameswaran. He further added that out of 31 Indian GMs 13 are from Tamil Nadu and that this annual GM tournament is a big oppotunity for the youth to showcase their talent and achieve IM and GM Norms.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Balasubramaniam said, "We are happy to be associated with chess, especially that of international events held in Chennai.Chess has given the sportspersons in the country the kind of recognition that has not been awarded elsewhere. Also he offered to sponsor such events in future in Tamil Nadu especially in Coimbatore. I wish this tournament will produce more future champions."

The 259 player, 13 country event runs for eleven rounds and concludes on 23rd Jan, 2013.