World Chess Championship at Chennai Hyatt Regency: All the Behind-the-Scenes Hard Work

As Chennai awaits with bated breath India’s first ever World Chess Championship starting this Thursday, organisers at the match venue on Sunday were overseeing the construction of the player’s enclosure. (Left: Photo R Raghu)

An 11-ft.-long partition made of glass panels is coming up at the grand ball room of Hotel Hyatt Regency. In three days, the noise-free, elevated play area enclosed by this partition will see five-time world chess champion, Viswanathan Anand defend his title against the Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen.

Six panels of laminated acoustic material, each six feet wide, have already arrived at the hotel. “The glass is not only toughened but also laminated, keeping the sensitive acoustic requirements in mind — no noise can enter this area. The audience can watch the moves from outside the partition,” said D. Rajan, project manager, Buildcraft Interiors, who is in charge of the construction. An elevated, carpeted false floor will also be placed where the games will be played, he said.

Inside the glass partition are doors at each end that will lead the players to their refreshment rooms and service areas. “This is to prevent all distractions so that the players can focus on their game alone,” said Mr. Rajan.

In the next two days, a VIP lounge and a room from where officials will monitor the game are to be built. “Nearly 20 workers are on the job today and many more will join tomorrow. We need to finish everything by Wednesday,” Mr. Rajan said.

An audience of 400 will witness the event that will go on till November 28. The audience will be seated in sofas, boxes and chairs. “The seating arrangements are done in such a way that even those seated in the last row can see the moves being made,” said Pratiti Rajpal, marketing communications manager, Hyatt Regency.

V. Hariharan, secretary, All India Chess Federation, said the demand for tickets at http://wcc.delhichess.com, sales of which started a month ago, had been good.

The hotel is planning to entertain visitors from Carlsen’s country as well. “We plan to have Norwegian cocktails in our menu,” said Ms. Pratiti.

Magnus Carlsen, along with his parents and two sisters, is expected to arrive at the hotel on Monday by an Oman Air. The hotel has planned a traditional welcome for the 22-year-old.