DCA, says tournament as per WCF norms

Delhi Chess Association on Tuesday clarified that the entry fee and the participation structure for the recently concluded Commonwealth Chess Championship was as per regulations of the World Chess Federation (WCF).

Reacting to a story by ANI titled "Commonwealth Chess C'ship participants scammed by organizers," that raised questions over the recently concluded Commonwealth Chess Championship, AK Verma, Honorary Secretary of Delhi Chess Association and the Organising Secretary of the Commonwealth Chess Championship-2018, said the event was conducted in line with WCF's norms.

The ANI report published on July 7 said that none of the players who attended the event could achieve the International Master (IM) or Grandmasters (GM) Norm since the championship did not meet the criteria of having required number of foreign titled players.

"It is official championship and not an invitational event and fielding the players is under the purview of each country that is part of Commonwealth. So it is up to the national federation of each country to decide whom they want to field in the event. As such we could not ensure the participation of Grandmaster from other country," said Verma. He added that all the certification of the participants is done at par with all the official international events of World Chess Federation.

On the issue of organisers collecting Rs. 70 lakhs from players as entry fee, as ANI had reported, the official said that according to rules the entry fee is to be shared with higher echelon. "Hence, the organisers get only a certain percentage and not the entire entry fee. The registration fee charged from foreign participants is not only for their transportation cost, it includes other expenditures also," Verma said.