In a sporting crossover, Venkatesh and Sindarov play a game of chess

Cricket met chess on Sunday night. Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who has played for India in both short formats, took on the World No. 4 Javokhir Sindarov in a game of chess.

After the match against the Uzbek, played at RCB Bar & Cafe, Venkatesh said: “I got the opportunity to play with the world’s No. 4 chess player. I managed to survive five minutes without losing.”

Sindarov, who will challenge India’s D. Gukesh for the World championship this year, is in the city for the Global Chess League, in which he is playing for Fyers American Gambits. He was joined by his teammates Daniil Dubov, Nihal Sarin, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, and MarcAndria Maurizzi.

Venkatesh also spoke of Bengaluru’s passion for multiple sports. “I’ve been to a lot of cities in the country, but the love for sports here is just amazing, and it goes well beyond cricket,” he said.

“Whether it is football, athletics, chess, pickleball or paddle, people here take their sport seriously, both in playing and supporting it.”

There was also an exchange of shirts between RCB and American Gambits.