New Delhi, Dec 14 :The All India Chess Federation (AICF) Today  announced the Indian Chess League to be held in June next year. The event will feature top player from all over the world.

The six-team event, a first of its kind, will run for two weeks in a double round-robin format in Delhi and Kolkata.

The top two teams will meet in the final. The winner will be awarded a prize money of Rs 2 crore.

“Our dream is going to come true. Indian Chess League will change the face of Chess in the country. This will help in achieving the objective of becoming number one in the world in the near future,” AICF President Dr Sanjay Kapoor said.

AICF Secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan informed that each team will consist of eight players, which will include 2 Super Grandmasters, 2 Indian Grandmasters, 2 Women Grandmasters, one Indian Junior Boy and one Indian Junior Girl.

“The idea is to bring the best players in the world in this competition and provide Indian players an opportunity to hone their skills,” Chouhan said.

“The match will be telecast live so that more and more players will attract towards chess. We will be announcing the franchise owners soon. We have already received a great encouragement from the corporates,” he added.

AICF also signed a partnership with Gameplan for promotion and marketing of the league. They are expected to bring in sponsors and commit a minimum amount every year to make it sustainable and profitable.

The federation has been engaged in promoting the sport since the new office bearers took over last year. It has announced its calendar for 2022 in which 13 international tournaments are to be organized.(UNI)