CHENNAI, July 30: Delhi will be the venue for a Fide (Federation Internationale de Chess) world developmental centre, according to PT Ummer Koya, senior vice-president of the international body.Koya, who is also the president of the Asian (Zone-three) Chess Association and secretary of the All-India Chess Federation (AICF), said that Kirsan Illymumzynov, President of Fide, would hold discussions on the proposed centre with the AICF officials in New Delhi tomorrow.He said, Kirsan, who is arriving in Delhi tomorrow on an official visit, had been a source of strength to AICF. FIDE had assured all necessary help to popularise the game in the Asian zone, particularly, India, Koya added.Citing the example of 72 Indian players getting into the Fide list this year, Koya said, India would be the venue for two Grandmasters tournaments in November-December this year, apart from one GM tournament in Tehran in January next.Fide had given priority to take the game of 64-squares to remotest places, Koya said.In order to achieve its goals, Fide is starting a world developmental centre, which would be open to every player in the globe, Koya said adding that this would create more openings for Indian players to show their mettle.Listing out the Fide recognised tournaments to be held in India, Koya said Fide had agreed to allot one major world junior tournament to be held in India next year.He said the Asian Junior (boys and girls) tournament would be held in Jaipur (Rajasthan) in September, 97. That will be followed by an Asian sub-jr boys and girls tournament in October, 97 in Delhi, under the leadership of Sawmney Dhruv, president AICF.
