The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is the central administrative body for the game of chess in India. Founded in 1951, the federation is affiliated to Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), the world body for chess. The AICF has produced Viswanathan Anand, Pentala Harikrishna, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, Dommaraju Gukesh, Nihal Sarin, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and many other grandmasters. The organisation is also in charge of managing women's chess in India.[3] AICF's current headquarter is in New Delhi.[4]
Sport | Chess |
---|---|
Abbreviation | AICF |
Founded | 1951; 73 years ago (1951) |
Affiliation | FIDE |
Regional affiliation | Asian Chess Federation |
President | Nitin Narang[1][2] |
Official website | |
www |
The All India Chess Federation was registered in 12 December 1958 and was registered as a Society under the Societies Registration act of 1860.[5]
A new administration was formed, via an election of office bearers, on 10th March, 2024 where Mr. Nitin Narang was elected as the president of the AICF.[6]
In August 2022, AICF hosted the 44th Chess OlympiadinChennai, India, which was the first Chess Olympiad ever to take place in the country.[7][8] The event was organised by AICF in association with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Tamil Nadu Government. Sanjay Kapoor, ex-AICF president, was the President of the Organising Committee for the 44th Chess Olympiad, and ex-AICF Secretary, Bharat Singh Chauhan was the Tournament Director.[9]
AICF has been repeatedly accused of bureaucratic interference. In October 2009, chess Grandmaster Humpy Koneru (then female world No. 2) accused the AICF secretary DV Sundar of preventing her from participating in the 37th Chess OlympiadinTurin.[10][11] The same year the AICF was accused of arbitrarily banning grandmaster G N Gopal[12] for not playing in a match (the ban was subsequently revoked).[13]
In 2012 the AICF president N Srinivasan was criticised for not supporting Viswanathan AnandinWorld Chess Championship 2010, by not trying to host the match in India.[14]
However, things appear to be changing for better since the present management took over on January 04, 2021.[15] The new AICF President, Sanjay Kapoor, and Secretary, Bharat Singh Chauhan have taken a slew of measures to ensure that the Federation actively focuses on promoting Chess sport in the country and works towards empowering the players.[16]
Till date the federation has more than 30 affiliated state associations and 10 special members[3] Here is a list of them:[3][17][18]
AICF has also played host to a number of major world events in India. Some of them are:[3]