Chennai

The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is confident of rolling out a fully functional prototype of the National Rating System or 'Bharat Chess Players Rating System' in three months, said the federation's president, Nitin Narang.

Several chess players and tournament organisers have welcomed the move, though they said the Indian rating system is a revenue-generating opportunity for the AICF.

In an exclusive interview with source, entrepreneur Narang for the first time delves into the reasons for going for the 'Bharat Chess Rating System' and the purpose it would serve. (Excerpts)

When asked about the purpose the Indian rating system or the `Bharat Chess Players Rating System' would serve? Narangstated that, the introduction of a National Rating System in chess, serves to offer a more focused and inclusive approach to ranking players within India. While FIDE Ratings hold sway in international competitions, National Ratings delve deeper, especially at the grassroots level, providing a nuanced evaluation of players' skills within the country.

In India, despite the prevalence of around 400 FIDE Rated chess tournaments annually, a significant portion of these competitions are concentrated in established urban centers. This leaves out a lot of chess enthusiasts spread across the nation. By instituting a National Rating System, our aim is to unify the chess community, bringing local events from various corners of the country under one umbrella.