The newly-elected All India Chess Federation (AICF) secretary, Dev Patel, announced that India will bid for the hosting rights of the World Chess Championship between defending champion Ding Liren of China and teen sensation D. Gukesh. Gukesh, at 17 years old, became the youngest ever challenger for the world title by winning the Candidates Tournament in Toronto.
The dates and venue for the world championship, scheduled for the last quarter of the year, have not been finalized yet. Patel expressed confidence in India’s ability to host a top-notch championship and stated that discussions will be held with FIDE, the apex chess body, on the matter. Patel emphasized that his main goal is to promote chess as a popular sport in the country.
Having experience in running the Gujarat Chess Association, Patel understands the intricate requirements of players, parents, coaches, and supporting personnel in the game. He mentioned that Gujarat, as well as traditional chess hubs like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, are potential locations for the event.
Patel, who is the youngest AICF secretary ever, aims to enhance the popularity of chess in India and ensure a successful World Chess Championship. Elected to office just a month ago, Patel is eager to bring his administrative expertise to promote and develop the game of chess in the country.