India GM D. Gukesh will lock horns with Uzbek prodigy Javokhir Sindarov in THE men’s World Chess Championship. | Photo Credit: PTI

The likelihood of Tamil Nadu playing host to two of its homegrown Grandmasters for the World Chess Championships scheduled later this year looks remote. D. Gukesh (champion) will lock horns with Uzbek prodigy Javokhir Sindarov in men’s while and R. Vaishali (challenger) will play reigning champion Ju Wenjun of China in women’s.

This is the first time that India will have two players, one each in men and women in the global chess championships.

Speaking to Sportstar here on Wednesday, a source from Government said, “The cost of the bid [for both men and women’s tournament] is itself Rs. 85 crore and add to that the other expenses, it will come to around Rs. 100 crore. The Government will not want to spend that much amount,” he said.

Stephen Balasamy, Secretary of Tamil Nadu Chess Association said he has already sent a letter explaining TNSCA’s support to the event. “We had sent a letter to the Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, the Sports Minister, Sports Secretary among others. If the event happens, we will be very happy, if not, it is very unfortunate,” he said.

Published on May 27, 2026