Grandmaster (chess)

• Grandmaster (GM) is a title awarded to chess players by the world chess organization
FIDE. Apart from World Champion, Grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can
attain.
• Once achieved, the title is held for life, though exceptionally the title can be revoked for
cheating.
• The qualifications to become a GM have changed throughout the years. FIDE currently
awards the title of GM to a player who achieves a 2500 FIDE classical (or 'standard') rating
and three GM norms.

Norms
1) Performance level
2) Tournament Condition
3) Achievement Across Tournaments

The title of Grandmaster, along with the lesser FIDE titles of International Master (IM), FIDE
Master (FM), and Candidate Master (CM), is open to all players regardless of gender.

ELO Rating System

Purpose: Standardizes skill level comparison based on game outcomes.

Creator: Named after Arpad Elo, a Hungarian-American physics professor.

Widespread Use: Adopted by chess organizations and for other competitive games.

Adaptability: Utilized in various sports and games, including football, basketball, and video
games.

Rating Dynamics: Increases with wins and decreases with losses. The change depends on the
opponent's rating and the expected outcome.
FIDE Ratings
Standard (Classical) Rating
• For games with long time controls (over 60 minutes).
• Reflects skill in strategic planning.

Rapid Rating
• For medium-paced games (10 to 60 minutes).
• Balances quick thinking and analysis.

Blitz Rating
• For fast games (under 10 minutes).
• Measures quick reflexes and tactical skills.

International Chess Federation (FIDE: Fédération Internationale des

Échecs)
• The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is the governing body of the sport of chess, and
it regulates all international chess competitions.
• Constituted as a non-governmental institution, it was recognized by the International
Olympic Committee as a Global Sporting Organization in 1999.
• FIDE currently has its headquarters in Lausanne, but it was initially founded in 1924 in
Paris.
• It is now one of the largest, encompassing 199 countries as affiliate members, in the form
of National Chess Federations.

All India Chess Federation (AICF)

Introduction
• Central administrative body for chess in India.
• Founded in 1951.
• Affiliated with Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE).
• Headquarters: New Delhi

The World Chess Olympiad

• It is a premier international team chess tournament.
• Organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
• Held biennially with teams from over 150 nations.
• First Event: The first unofficial Olympiad took place in Paris in 1924, with the official start
in London in 1927.
• Host of 44th Chess Olympiad, 2022: Chennai, India. (Hosted 1st time)
• Next 45th Chess Olympiad, 2024: Budapest, Hungry

Chess World Cup 2023

FIDE World Cup 2023 held at Baku, Azerbaijan.

FIDE Chess World Cup:

Organizer: Conducted by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Frequency: Held biennially.

Format: Knockout chess tournament.

Participants: Features over 100 players from around the world.

Qualification: Players qualify through continental championships, rating, national

championships, and special FIDE nominations.

Rounds: Consists of several rounds of matches, including classical games, tie-breaks with
rapid and blitz games if needed.

Purpose: Qualifies top finishers for the Candidates Tournament, part of the World Chess
Championship cycle.

Winners:
• Since 2002, most number winners have been from Russia (3).
• 2023 World Cup was won Magnus Carlson of Norway
• An Indian is yet to win since 2002.
• Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa in 2023 was a runner up.
• He was the first finalist from India since 2002.
Candidates Tournament
The Candidates Tournament is a pivotal event in the chess world, determining who will
challenge the reigning World Chess Champion.

Purpose: It selects the challenger for the World Chess Championship.

Participants: 8 players compete, qualifying through various criteria including World Cup
performance, FIDE Grand Prix standings, ratings, and wild card selections.

World Chess Championship

History: Established in the late 19th century, with Wilhelm Steinitz recognized as the first
official World Chess Champion in 1886.

Format: The championship format has evolved over time. Currently, it involves a match
between the reigning champion and a challenger, who qualifies through the Candidates
Tournament.

Frequency: Held every two years, though this has varied throughout history due to various
factors, including world events and organizational changes.

Governing Body: The International Chess Federation (FIDE) oversees the championship,
ensuring adherence to rules and fair play.
Khelo India
• Ministry/Department: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
• Aims - To develop grassroots level talent by providing them with a national level platform.
• Objectives:
− Mass participation of the young population in Sports through annual sports
competitions
− Identification of sporting talent
− Nurturing of the sporting talent through sports academies
− Creation of Sports Infrastructure at Block, District and State/UT Level.

Event under Khelo India

1) Khelo India Youth Games
2) Khelo India University Games
3) Khelo India Winter Games
Khelo India Youth Games
• The Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2023 were held from January 19–31, 2024 across four
cities of Tamil Nadu, namely Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore.
• Mascot: Veera Mangai
• 26 Sports
• Silambam as Demo Sport

Competitions in the KIYG are held in the Under-17 and Under-21 categories for both boys
and girls.

Veera Mangai = Rani Velu Nachiyar

Velu Nachiyar (1730-1796) was the first Indian queen to fight against British colonialism, well
before the iconic Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi.

Background: Born in Tamil Nadu, she was the princess of the Ramnad kingdom.

Education: Trained in martial arts, horse riding, and weaponry.

Conflict with British: Took up arms after her husband, the king of Sivagangai, was killed by
the British in 1772.

Alliances: Formed strategic alliances with Gopala Nayaker and Hyder Ali, the Sultan of
Mysore.

Guerrilla Warfare: Employed guerrilla tactics and formed a women’s army named
“Udaiyaal.”

Victory: Recaptured Sivagangai from the British in 1780 and ruled wisely until her death in
1796.

Legacy: Celebrated for her bravery and strategic acumen in India’s early resistance against
British rule.

Silambam = as Demo Sport

A demonstration sport, or exhibition sport, is a sport which is played to promote it, rather
than as part of standard medal competition.

Silambam is a traditional martial art originating from Tamil Nadu, India, known for its ancient
roots and rich cultural heritage.

Origins: Traces back to the Sangam era (300 BC to 300 AD), making it one of the oldest
fighting systems in existence.
Weapons-based: Primarily focuses on the use of a bamboo staff as the main weapon,
alongside other traditional Indian weapons.

Techniques: Incorporates swings, spins, and strikes, emphasizing agility, speed, and
precision. Practitioners also learn to handle various lengths of the staff for different combat
situations.

Thang-Ta: A weapon-based Indian martial art created by the Meitei of Manipur.

Yogasana: The practice of yoga postures, which involves physical exercises to maintain the
body's flexibility and strength.

Mallakhamb: A traditional Indian sport in which a gymnast performs feats and poses in
concert with a vertical wooden pole or rope.

Kalaripayattu: An Indian martial art and fighting system that originated in Kerala.

Gatka Martial Art:

− Gatka is a traditional martial art form associated with the Sikh gurus. It imbibes sword and
sticks fighting skills and self-control.
− It is believed to have originated when the 6th Sikh Guru Hargobindji adopted ‘Kirpan’ for
self-defence during the Mughal era.

The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) was established in 1998 under the Charitable
Endowments Act 1890, with its notification by the Government of India occurring in
November 1998.

Its primary aim is to provide momentum and flexibility in supporting the cause of sports in
India.
Objective: To help Indian sportspersons excel by offering them opportunities to train under
internationally reputed coaches, and by providing financial assistance for the development
of sports infrastructure and promotion activities.

Financial Assistance: NSDF funds the development of sports infrastructure and various
promotional activities related to sports in India.

Beneficiary Support: It supports athletes by facilitating their training with top coaches and
providing the necessary financial assistance for their preparation and participation in
competitions.

Promotion of Sports: Beyond individual support, the NSDF is integral in the broader
development and promotion of sports across the country.

The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) was started by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports (MYAS) in September 2014.

Objective: The scheme aims to enhance India's performance at the Olympics and
Paralympics.

Revamp: In April 2018, TOPS was revamped to include a technical support team for managing
TOPS athletes and providing holistic support.

Focus on High-Priority Sports: The scheme emphasizes on 'High-Priority' sports which include
Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Hockey, Shooting, and Wrestling.
National Sports University

Establishment: NADA was set up by the Government of India in November 2005 as an

independent Anti-Doping Organization.

Legal Framework: Registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860.

Objective: To ensure a vision of dope-free sports in India.

Primary Functions:
− Implement the Anti-Doping Code for compliance by all sports organisations in India.
− Coordinate doping testing programs with all stakeholders.
− Promote anti-doping research and education to foster the value of dopefree sports.
− Adopt best practice standards and quality systems for effective program implementation
and continual improvement.

WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY

− HQ-Montreal, Canada
• WADA was set up as a foundation under the initiative of the International Olympic
Committee in 1999.
• It seeks to promote and coordinate the fight against doping in sport internationally.
• It monitors the World Anti-Doping Code.
• UNESCO’s International Convention against Doping in Sport helps in ensuring the
effectiveness of the code.
• India is a signatory to the convention.