The 44th FIDE Rated National Women’s Challengers Chess Tournament 2017 organised by Mysore Chess Centre under the aegis of the UKCA and AICF began at Mysore Sports Club today.

The championships will see some of the best women chess players in the country in action during the 9-day tournament. Among the top players are former National Champions WGM Mary Ann Gomes (PSPB), IM Nisha Mohota (PSPB) and WGM Arathie Ramaswamy. The tournament will have a strong field of 7 WGMs, 1 IM, 9 WIMs, 9 WFMs, 6 WCMs & 1 AFM in action.

Around 125 women chess players will take part in the tournament conducted on Swiss league basis. The top 11 players in of the tournament will earn selection to take part in the National ‘A’ Championships to be held in Gujarat. The winner will earn selection to represent India in World Chess Championships.

The tournament was inaugurated by UKCA President D.P. Anantha. MUDA Chairman D. Dhurvakumar, Kanteerva Narasimharaja Sports Club President Udhay Shankar, President, Kanteerava Sports Club, Mysore at the club’s premises here today noon. Aravind Shastry, Hon.Secretary, UKCA ,Hanumanthu, Vice-President, AICF, and Nagendra M, Director, Mysore Chess centre & Vice-President, UKCA were also present.