The likelihood of Tamil Nadu hosting two of its homegrown Grandmasters for the World Chess Championships scheduled later this year looks remote. D. Gukesh (champion) will lock horns with Uzbek prodigy Javokhir Sindarov in the men’s category, while R. Vaishali (challenger) will play reigning champion Ju Wenjun of China in the women’s.
This is the first time that India will have two players, one each in men’s and women’s, in the World Chess Championship.
Speaking to The Hindu here on Wednesday, a source from the TN Government said: “The cost of the bid itself is ₹85 crore and add to that the other expenses, it will come to around ₹100 crore. The Government will not want to spend that much amount.”
Stephen Balasamy, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Chess Association, said he has already sent a letter explaining TNSCA’s support to the event. “We had sent a letter to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the Sports Minister, the Sports Secretary, among others. If the event happens, we will be very happy; if not, it is very unfortunate,” he said.
Published – May 27, 2026 07:36 pm IST
