The newly-elected All India Chess Federation (AICF) secretary, Dev Patel, announced on April 25 that India will bid for the hosting rights of the much-anticipated World Championship clash between teen sensation D Gukesh and defending champion Ding Liren of China. Gukesh, a 17-year-old, made history by becoming the youngest ever challenger for the world title after winning the Candidates Tournament in Toronto. The exact dates and venue for the world championship, scheduled for the last quarter of the year, are still to be confirmed.
Patel, who is 24 years old and leads the Gujarat Chess Association, expressed his confidence in India’s ability to host the championship. He emphasized the importance of making chess a popular sport in the country and mentioned that discussions with FIDE, the international chess organization, were underway. Patel revealed that the potential host states include Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
With his experience in chess administration, Patel understands the needs of players, parents, coaches, and supporters. He highlighted the dedication and effort required to nurture talented players like Gukesh, acknowledging that chess would ultimately benefit from such initiatives. Patel, who assumed office last month, is committed to advancing the sport and promoting it at a grassroots level.