Bhubaneswar:swa news : The 16th KIIT International Chess Festival 2025, organised by KIIT-DU under the aegis of the All-India Chess Federation (AICF), was inaugurated on Friday at KIIT.
Inaugurating the event as Chief Guest, eminent Indian tennis star, Olympian, and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awardee Leander Paes said, “The vision of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT & KISS, for education and sports education is truly unique. The sports infrastructure and training facilities at KIIT & KISS are excellent. Dr. Samanta is a great visionary and a role model for all. His contribution to bringing global sporting events to India is immense.” He thanked Dr. Samanta for creating KIIT & KISS as a leading hub for sports education, adding, “It is my responsibility to take KIIT & KISS sports to the global stage.”
Abhijit Kunte, Grandmaster and Commissioner of Chess in Schools (FIDE), Pune, Maharashtra, expressed his gratitude to Dr. Samanta for his foresight. “Sixteen years ago, he envisioned the need for an international chess tournament in the eastern region of India. Organising such a large-scale event consistently for 16 years is no easy task, but he has achieved it,” he said.
Bhavesh Bhai Patel, former Vice President of the All-India Chess Federation (AICF), said, “Organising a tournament of this scale requires significant funding, vast infrastructure, and above all, a big heart—which I have witnessed in Dr. Samanta. This event is not only the pride of Odisha but of the entire nation.”
In his presidential address, Dr. Samanta said, “KIIT & KISS have made a remarkable contribution to promoting chess and elevating Odisha to the international chess stage. We have always supported sports and sportspersons. KIIT & KISS are the only institutions in India to have developed such vast, world-class sports infrastructure and training facilities. We aim to double this infrastructure in the coming year.”
Over 1200 players, including international arbiters, international masters, and grandmasters from 42 countries, including India, are participating in the event. This is for the first time players from 42 countries are participating in an international chess tournament. The total prize money is Rs 60 lakhs, making it the second-highest prize pool ever offered in a chess tournament in India. A total of 436 prizes will be awarded across three categories. The total prize money for Category ‘A’, which is open to all, is Rs. 30 lakh. Category ‘B’ (rated below 1900) and Category ‘C’ (rated below 1700) players will each receive Rs. 15 lakh in prize money.
IM Sekhar Chandra Sahu, Tournament Director, delivered the welcome address, and Ranjan Mohanty, Member, Events Committee, AICF, proposed the vote of thanks. Satya Ranjan Pattnaik, President, All Odisha Chess Association, also graced the occasion.
+ There are no comments
Add yours