Harika, Arjun Erigaisi, Lalit, Rithvik and Rahul relay the Chess Olympiad Torch at Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

by Shahid Ahmed - 21/07/2022

India's second woman ever to become a Grandmaster, Harika Dronavalli along with GMs Arjun Erigaisi, Raja Rithvik R and Rahul Srivasthav P attended the Torch Relay ceremony at Hyderabad, Telangana. Two of them, India's 25th GM Harika and 54th GM Arjun will be a part of India-1 team at the upcoming 44th Chess Olympiad in Open and Women section respectively. We all wish them to add more accolades at the upcoming Olympiad. The 26th GM of the country, Lalit Rohit relayed the Torch at Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. The amount of triumphs these five GMs have won in National, Asian and World events are numerous. Photo: AICF

The states' top attend the Torch Relay

Saturday 16th July: The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel received the Torch from India's third Grandmaster Praveen Thipsay at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Auditorium.

GM Praveen Thipsay with Bhupesh Baghel and other officials | Photo: AICF

GM Praveen Thipsay played Simultaneous Exhibition matches with the kids and local chess enthusiasts| Photo: AICF

The Minister of Sports & Youth Services, Govt. of Telangana, V Srinivas Goud received Torch from GMs Harika Dronavalli and Arjun Erigaisi in presence of India's latest GM Rahul Srivasthav P, GM Raja Rithvik R and other officials.

V Srinivas Goud received the Torch from GM Harika Dronavalli in presence of GM Rahul Srivasthav P, GM Arjun Erigaisi and GM Raja Rithvik R | Photo: AICF

V Srinivas Goud holds the Torch with GM Arjun Erigaisi | Photo: AICF

A ceremonial move is being made | Photo: AICF

Sunday 17th July: The Minister of Housing, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Jogi Ramesh received the Torch from 26th GM of India, Lalit Rohith at Tumalapalli Kalashetram, Vijayawada. He took the Torch forward to Durga Malleshwari Temple & Ashok Pillar.

Jogi Ramesh received the Chess Olympiad Torch from GM Lalit Rohit | Photo: AICF

GM Lalit Rohit carries the Torch | Photo: AICF

GM Lalit Rohit with Chess Olympiad Torch and chess enthusiasts | Photo: AICF

The Minister of Industries, Infrastructure, Investment & Comm., IT, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Gudivada Amarnath received the Torch from GM Lalit Rohit at Swarna Bharathi Indoor Stadium, Visakhapatnam.

GM Lalit Rohit carries the Torch on a car | Photo: AICF

Gudivada Amarnath receives the Chess Olympiad Torch from GM Lalit Rohit | Photo: AICF

Where is the Torch heading next?

Check out the upcoming dates where the Chess Olympiad Torch is heading next. For exact timing and location, please contact your local district/state chess association.

69	22nd July 2022	Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
70	23rd July 2022	Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
71	23rd July 2022	Puducherry, Puducherry
72	24th July 2022	Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
73	25th July 2022	Madurai, Tamil Nadu
74	26th July 2022	Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
75	27th July 2022	Chennai, Tamil Nadu