Online chess exhibition featuring Anand raises Rs 4.5 lakh for PM CARES Fund

An online chess exhibition featuring six top Indian players, including former world champion Viswanathan Anand, has raised Rs 4.5 lakh for PM Cares Fund.

India no.1 Anand, no.2 Vidit Gujrathi, P Harikrishna and B Adhiban and the country's top two women players -- Koneru Humpy and D Harika -- took part in the event organised by chess.com on Sunday.

The 20-board simultaneous event saw an amount of Rs 4.5 lakh (USD 6,000) being raised, Rakesh Kulkarni, an International Master and Director of chess.com-India, told PTI.

Anand, who is stuck in Germany owing to the travel restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, was the one who suggested such an event.

"Anand was the one who had the idea and suggested it. He was the pioneer. He then got all the top players to join. Chess.com made the logistical arrangements," he added.

Meanwhile, Adhiban who won all his 18 games (two did not turn up), said he was delighted to have taken part in such an initiative and contributed to a cause.

Harika said "It is a privilege that we can play our sport from home and collect funds for a good cause."