Happy to see two Indian cities bid to host the World chess championship match: FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich

FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich discusses India's bids for World Championship, Gukesh's participation, and chess's global growth.

FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich feels it is nice that the world chess governing body has received two bids from India for hosting this year’s World championship match.

Chennai and Delhi have both expressed interest to conduct the contest between the reigning World champion Ding Liren of China and D. Gukesh to be held later this year. Also in the fray is Singapore.

“We are happy to receive three strong bids, which is quite a unique situation,” Dvorkovich said to The Hindu in an exclusive interview here shortly after the World junior chess championship concluded. “For international sports federations it is important to have the support from the national governments. I know the role of the States in India. We will examine the bids and take a decision.”

He is happy that India is emerging as an excellent host of major international chess events. A couple of years ago, Chennai had received praise for the way it conducted the Chess Olympiad, that too at such short notice. “India will host more events in the next 12 months,” he said.

Dvorkovich thinks it is great that a 17-year-old Gukesh is contesting the World championship match. “I think it will inspire all the youngsters in the world. They now know what they could achieve with hard work.”

Dvorkovich is glad that chess is growing fast across the world. It was probably the only sport that grew during Covid, with FIDE playing an active role.

“Chess also gained from the series The Queen’s Gambit,” he said. “But I am not surprised by the rising popularity of chess. It is the world’s oldest game but is very modern too.”