World chess champion Viswanathan Anand to mentor Indian players ahead of Asian Games

Five-time chess world champion Viswanathan Anand has been roped in as a mentor of the Indian players looking to break into the team for the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where the sport will make a comeback after a gap of 12 years.

The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is eyeing a rich medal haul from its players at the Games, which are scheduled to be held from September 10 to 25.

“Eyeing the four gold medals at stake in the games, the legendary



Grandmaster Anand took a different role and will mentor the team and the first session between him and the players will kick start next Thursday,” the AICF said in a release.

The chess event at the Games will start on September 11 and will be played in two formats. The individual event for men and women will be played in Rapid time control from September 11 to 14 September while four board five-member team event will be played under Standard time control from September 16 to September 24.