Chess for youth to be held from Aug 11-14

Joydeep Dutta will defend his crown in the (U-25) premier section that is open to participants across India, while the organisers are also expecting competitors from neighbouring Bangladesh.

The top field will also have current national champion WGM Mary Ann Gomes, former world U-14 champion WGM Padmini Rout, IM Swayams Mishra, IM Swapnil Dhopade and former world U-12 champion and FM Sayantan Das among others.

There will also be a Junior Section for players from the home state with U-6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 age groups.

The format will be rapid with seven rounds in Swiss League System as the Premier Group will carry a prize money of Rs 72,000 for the top 20 players including Rs 20,000 for the winner.

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly will be the star attraction at the opening ceremony, informed Dibyendu Barua on behalf of his chess academy which is organizing the tournament.