As a tribute to legendary Industrialist N.Mahalingam, Coimbatore District Chess Association will be joining hands with Dr. Mahalingam College of Engineering & Technology, Pollachi (MCET) to organize the MPL 31st National Under 18 Chess Championships (open and girls) at the college from 18th to 23rd April 2022.
A total of 237 players – 142 in the open section and 95 in the girls’ category from 22 states are participating in the six day event.
Several Male and Female champs from the States are clashing at this event. Both championships will be played under the Swiss system, each having eleven rounds. The time control will be 90 minutes to each player with an increment of 30 seconds per move
The most important salient feature of the tournament is that the champions will represent India in the World Youth chess championships, to be held later this year. The total prize money for the championships is Nine Lakhs Rupees, approximately one third of the amount being sponsored by MPL and the remaining by MCET. The matches will be held at the air conditioned indoor stadium of the MCET. Elaborate arrangements have been made by the college and the district chess association for the comfortable stay and dining for the participants.
The championships will be held at MCET and it will inaugurated by the well-renowned coach of India RB Ramesh, who has produced several grandmasters, including R Praggnaanadhaa, who defeated the world champion Magnus Carlsen recently.
Bharat Singh Chauhan, Honorary Secretary of All India Chess Federation has agreed to be the chief guest on the final day in the august presence of M. Manickam, President of TNSCA and also the chairman of Sakthi Group of Industries.