The Chennai Grand Masters returns for its second edition, all set to begin on November 5th, and promises to be even better this year.
Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi is the top seed in the Masters section. We also have Grandmasters Vidit Gujrathi and Aravindh Chithambaram, alongside 5 more top class players from across the world. With a rating average of 2729, the tournament will play a major role in the FIDE Circuit. In a bid to provide platform to the budding players, the Chennai Grand Masters also has a Challengers section, featuring 8 Indian talents. The rating average of the Challengers section is 2589.
The total prize pool of the tournament is INR 70 Lakh. This is split between the Masters and Challengers section. The winner of the Masters section takes home INR 15 Lakh. In the Challengers section, the winner will receive INR 6 Lakh, and a coveted spot in the Masters section of the next edition! The format is a single round-robin, comprising seven rounds, ensuring every player faces every other player in their section. Time control for the tournament is 90 minutes for the whole game, with a 30 second increment from move 1.
The tournament, just like last year, is sponsored by the Tamil Nadu Government and Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. GM Srinath Narayanan is returning as the tournament director. The organisation of the event is led by MGD1, with support from ChessBase India. This year, the Anna Centenary Library will serve as the venue for the fierce battles over the board.
