The 44th Chess Olympiad’s historic torch relay will be launched by the Prime Minister

For the first time this year, the International Chess Federation, FIDE, has implemented the Chess Olympiad Torch, which is an Olympic tradition but has never been done before in the Chess Olympiad. The Chess Olympiad Torch Relay will be held in India for the first time.

Notably, this tradition of the Torch Relay for the Chess Olympiad will henceforth always begin in India and travel across all continents before reaching the host country, highlighting the Indian roots of the game.

The torch will be passed from FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich to Prime Minister, who will thereafter pass it on to Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand. The light would thereafter be carried to 75 cities over the course of 40 days, culminating at Mahabalipuram, near Chennai. Chess grandmasters from across the state will receive the torch at each venue.

Chennai will host the 44th Chess Olympiad from July 28 to August 10, 2022. The famous tournament, which has been held since 1927, will be held for the first time in India and for the first time in Asia in 30 years. With 189 countries expected to compete, this will be the largest chess Olympiad ever.