Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa relay the Chess Olympiad Torch in the final leg with S Vijayalakshmi

by Shahid Ahmed - 29/07/2022

India's 31st GM Shyam Sundar M, 68th GM Arjun Kalyan, WGM Srija Seshadri, 14th GM Neelotpal Das, IM Harshavardhan G B and IM Srihari L R relayed the Chess Olympiad Torch in various parts of the host state, Tamil Nadu. The man who revolutionized chess India decades ago and carried it to all over the world, Vishy Anand relayed the Torch to Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin. GM D Gukesh and GM Praggnanandhaa R received the Torch from them and relayed it with IM Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi. Who will take the figurative Torch from Anand and run across the world next? This Olympiad could give us an inkling to that. Photo: FIDE/Lennart Ootes

The Chess Olympiad Torch reaches its final destination

Monday 25th July - Tamil Nadu, the host state for the 44th Chess Olympiad welcomed the Torch in a grand way! India's 31st GM Shyam Sundar took the Torch forward in the city amid an energetic audience.

GM Shyam Sundar M with the Torch at Coimbatore | Photo: Dept. of Sports, MYAS

Shyam Sundar and the Torch received a grand welcome | Photo: Dept. of Sports MYAS

Tuesday 26th July - Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, The Minister for School Education, Govt. of Tamil Nadu received the Torch from India's 68th GM Arjun Kalyan & WGM Srija Seshadri at Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi holding the Torch with GM Arjun Kalyan and WGM Srija Seshadri | Photo: Dept. of Sports MYAS

Anitha Radhakrishnan, The Minister for Fisheries - Fishermen Welfare & Animal Husbandry, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, received the Torch from India's 14th GM Neelotpal Das & WGM Srija Seshadri at Tiruvallur statue.

GM Neelotpal Das with the Chess Olympiad Torch at Tiruvallur statue | Photo: Dept. of Sports MYAS

GM Neelotpal Das and WGM Srija Seshadri with the local chess enthusiasts and officials | Photo: Dept. of Sports MYAS

WGM Srija Seshadri with the Torch | Photo: Dept. of Sports MYAS

Wednesday 27th July - International Masters Srihari L R & Harshavardhan G B took the Torch forward to Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.

IM Harshavardhan G B and IM Srihari L R holding the Chess Olympiad Torch | Photo: FIDE/Lennart Ootes

IM Srihari L R holding the Chess Olympiad Torch | Photo: Dept. of MYAS

Vishy Anand who lit the Torch for Indian chess decades ago, rallied it to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. D Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa R. took the Torch from them and relayed it at the Inauguration Ceremony of 44th Chess Olympiad 2022.

The five-time world champion, Vishy Anand brings the Chess Olympiad Torch | Photo: FIDE/Lennart Ootes

GM Praggnanandhaa R and GM D Gukesh receive the Torch from PM of India, Narendra Modi and CM of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin | Photo: FIDE/Lennart Ootes

GM Praggnanandhaa and GM D Gukesh relay the Torch with India's first woman to earn WGM and IM titles, Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi | Photo: FIDE/Lennart Ootes

It is absolutely fitting that Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa relay the Torch with the woman who has won more medals at the Olympiad than any other Indian. The Torch was relayed in 75 cities across the country spanning 38 days.

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