Stavanger (Norway): The stage is set for a historic moment in the world of chess as Indian Grandmasters Koneru Humpy, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu gear up to compete in the 12th edition of the esteemed Norway Chess tournament. Scheduled to take place from May 27 to June 7 at SR-Bank’s main building in Stavanger, Norway, the event promises to be a thrilling showcase of top-tier chess talent from around the globe.
Headlining the event are renowned players such as World No.1 Magnus Carlsen (Norway), World No.3 Hikaru Nakamura (USA), current World Champion Ding Liren (China), Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun (China), Lei Tingjie (China), and others.
Widely recognized as the ‘Wimbledon of Chess’, Norway Chess is renowned for its tradition of extending invitations to top Grandmasters worldwide. However, this year marks a significant departure from tradition with the introduction of the world’s first-ever equal female tournament alongside the main event. In a groundbreaking move towards gender equality, the Norway Chess Women’s Tournament will feature the same format and prize fund as its counterpart, providing aspiring female chess players with an unprecedented platform to showcase their skills.
The inaugural edition of the Norway Chess Women’s Tournament will witness the participation of Indian chess stalwart Koneru Humpy, currently ranked World No.2 among women. Humpy, who clinched the FIDE Women’s rapid chess championship in 2019, is poised to vie for top honors in this landmark event.
Joining Humpy in making their debut at Norway Chess are the dynamic brother-sister duo of Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali Rameshbabu. Praggnanandhaa, ranked World No.11, is hailed as one of India’s brightest chess talents, while Vaishali, ranked World No.14 among women, has carved a niche for herself in the chess world.
Expressing his views on the initiative, Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand remarked, “Norway Chess has always been at the forefront of innovation in the world of chess. Their decision to introduce equal prize funds for women this year is a commendable step towards promoting gender equality in the sport.”
Benedicte Westre Skog, Co-owner and Project Manager of Norway Chess, extended a warm welcome to the Indian participants, highlighting India’s growing prominence in the global chess arena. “India is undoubtedly a chess powerhouse, and we are delighted to host talented players like Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali, and Koneru at Norway Chess. Their participation adds a new dimension to our event, and we wish them the best of luck,” Skog remarked.
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