India Bids to Host World Chess Championship in Delhi's 'Yashobhoomi'

India is poised to submit a bid to host the prestigious World Chess Championship later this year, with Delhi's state-of-the-art India International Convention and Expo Centre, 'Yashobhoomi,' as the proposed venue. The bid is being spearheaded by the All India Chess Federation, which has secured a No Objection Certificate from the government.

The World Chess Championship, scheduled for November 20 to December 15, will feature reigning world champion Ding Liren of China and 18-year-old Indian challenger D Gukesh. The match will be a best-of-14-game affair, with the first player to reach 7.5 points declared the winner.

India has previously hosted the World Chess Championship once, in 2013, when Viswanathan Anand faced Magnus Carlsen in Chennai. The match was organized at a cost of ₹29 crores.

The India International Convention and Expo Centre, 'Yashobhoomi,' is a sprawling complex that covers an area of 1.07 lakh sq.m. and boasts 15 convention rooms, including a main auditorium, grand ballroom, and 13 meeting rooms. It can accommodate up to 11,000 delegates.

The International Chess Federation (Fide) has set a minimum total budget of $8.5 million for the hosting of the championship, including a prize fund of at least $2.5 million and a Fide fee of $1.1 million. The remaining $4.9 million is allocated for anti-cheating measures, broadcast, and technological upgrades.

Singapore has also expressed interest in hosting the match, citing its neutral status and the presence of both Chinese and Indian cultures in its society. However, the country has acknowledged that the hosting costs may be prohibitive.

The last date for bid submission to Fide is May 31, and the decision on the host is expected to be made in June.

Tags: #WorldChessChampionship, #India, #Delhi, #Yashobhoomi, #DGukesh