Chennai: India’s incredible rise as a chess nation has taken a giant leap forward as it was granted the first regional expansion of the world-renowned Meltwater Champions Chess Tour.
The new MPL Indian Chess Tour will be held next year by Play Magnus Group (PMG), founded by World Champion Magnus Carlsen, in partnership with esports giant Mobile Premier League (MPL), according to a statement.
This tour, which carries a $100,000 prize pot, will be the official circuit for Indian chess players to qualify for and participate in the global Meltwater Champions Chess Tour.
It means India will be the only chess nation with its own regional expansion that can guarantee players on the elite tour, which this year carried a dazzling total prize pot of $1.6 million, it added.