Sikkim is all set to host the prestigious Senior National Chess Championship 2019 from December 10-19 at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Majhitar.
The championship will have top rated players from all states, union territories and PSUs of the country.
Around 30 grand masters of world level are also coming for the championship.
Addressing a press conference at Gangtok on Thursday, Sikkim Chess Association general secretary Mahendra Dhakal said it is a historic and proud moment for Sikkim that it is going to host the prestigious Senior National Chess Championship for the first time in the Northeast.
He added that around 200 selected players from all states, union territories and PSUs of the country including 30 Grand Masters would come for the championship.
Grand Master Pravin Thipsay from Maharashtra, Abhijeet Gupta from Delhi and other chess Grand Masters are coming for the championship.
He informed that India was on the fourth position in chess among 200 countries playing chess in the world.
Dhakal also mentioned that the championship will have world class chess players of the country.
“This is not only a premier chess championship of the country but also a ranking championship and top six players in the championship will get qualified for the Chess Olympiad,” he informed.
Dhakal said it is a proud moment for Sikkim to have world class Grand Masters of the country.
The championship carries a total cash prize of Rs 20 lakh.
Dhakal mentioned that initially, the championship was allotted to West Bengal but due to some unavoidable circumstances Sikkim was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to host the prestigious championship.
A 9-member Sikkim Chess Association team will represent Sikkim in the championship.
Dhakal said the state team members have been undergoing a rigorous training session.