National 'A' Chess Tourney for the Blind from Feb 3

Mumbai, Feb 1 (PTI) The 13th edition of the 'AICFB National A Chess Championship for the visually challenged' will be held here from February 3 to 11.

The championship is being organised by theAll India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB), a media release said here today.

There will be a selection of Indian team for the forthcoming 'World Team Chess Championship' in July 2018.

Total 14 players have been selected to take part in the prestigious tournament on the basis of their performance in the National 'B' Chess tournament.

The National 'A' chess championship is considered to be the strongest chess tournament in India where nine international players, who have represented India in the past world championships including medal winners in Olympiad, will be present, the release added.

The winner will be crowned as India's 'National Blind Chess Champion' for 2018.

These top players will form Indian teams for the forthcoming 'World Team Championship' and 'World Junior' championships for the blind, to be held in Bulgaria in July and Poland in August this year, respectively.

India has got an opportunity to participate in the 'World Team Chess Championship for the Blind 2018' on the virtue of finishing 7th in the world in last 'Chess Olympiad for the Blind' held in Macedonia June 2017, the release added