Chess Players Forum approaches FIDE to resolve AICF crisis

The Chess Players Forum, a collective group of players in the country, has appealed to the world federation (FIDE) to step in and resolve the crisis in the affairs of the national body (AICF).

The Chess Players Forum functions as a voice for the players' rights, welfare and responsibilities.

Referring to the state-of-affairs in the All India Chess Federation (AICF), which has been riddled with infighting and legal battles, the forum president Varugeese Koshy wrote to the FIDE chief, requesting his intervention in solving the impasse.

"On behalf of all the chess players of India, the Chess Players Forum hereby wishes to appeal to the FIDE to step in and resolve the crisis in the affairs of the AICF. We assure that the Chess Players Forum will be ready to assist in whichever manner in any such initiative," Koshy wrote in his letter.

The forum, which includes a number of noted players including the country's second Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, fellow GM Abhijit Kunte and International Masters Varugeese Koshy and V Saravanan (secretary), said it was pained to note "certain unhealthy activities unfolding at the AICF resulting in distress for all chess players and chess lovers of India."
AICF is the administrative body of the game in the country, funded and entrusted by the government of India, the forum said, adding: "There are almost about 1,00,000 chess players registered at the AICF, and all of them along with state associations, tournament organisers, and chess lovers are groping in the dark now due to this state-of-affairs."