Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur, marked a significant moment in the world of chess as he handed over the Chess Olympiad Torch to Budapest, Hungary, the official host of the 45th edition of the Chess Olympiad.
The handoff ceremony, held today in New Delhi at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium, was accompanied by a friendly game of chess between the minister, Indian Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, and Hungarian Grandmaster Judit Polgár.
Following the hand-over ceremony, the Minister also addressed the gathering. Expressing his delight at witnessing the fruition of a decision made years ago to have a Chess Olympiad Torch Relay, Minister Thakur emphasized the intellectual legacy that chess represents for India and the world. He remarked, “Chess is not merely a sport but a reflection of strategic depth and philosophical wisdom. The elegant sport not only sharpens the mind but also teaches invaluable lessons of patience and resilience and takes one onto the path of intellectual pursuit of strategic mastery.”
“From successfully hosting the 44th Chess Olympiad in a short span to initiating the first-ever Torch Relay, India has been at the forefront of promoting chess. With over 50 Grandmasters emerging in the last decade and our young prodigies making waves internationally, we are proud to carry forward the legacy and teachings of chess. As we pass the Torch to Hungary (Budapest) for the 45th Chess Olympiad and it travels worldwide, let’s continue building a future together, united by the spirit of sports,” he added.
It is noteworthy that the inaugural Chess Olympiad Torch Relay was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Stadium on June 19, 2022, during India’s hosting of the 44th edition of the Chess Olympiad. Held in Chennai in 2022, the 44th edition attracted over 2500 players and 7000 participants worldwide. The upcoming edition, scheduled to be held in Budapest, Hungary, was officially announced earlier this year.
