Credit: ChessBase India
Chennai Grand Masters 2025, which was scheduled to commence from August 6, has been adjourned for a day as the tournament will now kickstart on August 7. Hotel Hyatt Regency, which was all set to host the event, saw fire breaking out on its ninth floor due to an electrical issue. The fire problem dispersed smoke in the entire hotel which made it difficult for guests to breathe. Following this, the hotel administration evacuated the hotel and players along with officials were shifted to the other venue.
As per ChessBase India, everyone was confused and anxious in the initial moments of the incident but once it became clear that smoke can't be gotten rid of in a few hours, the organisers displayed alacrity and moved the guests to another venue. The opening round of the competition was scheduled to be played on August 6 but now, it is adjourned for a day. The rescheduling became possible because the original schedule had a rest day on August 11th, which will now be a match day. The hotel administration also shifted the players to Hotel Pullman so they could take a proper rest at night.
Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujarathi, Nihal Sarin, among others to participate in the tournament
This year will be the third edition of the Chennai Grand Masters. In 2023, when the inaugural edition of the tournament was played, Dommaraju Gukesh emerged victorious while in the next edition, Arvind Chidambaram won the title. Arjun Erigaisi will be participating in the rescheduled event, to be played from August 7 to 15. Last month, Erigaisi hit the headlines for beating world number one Magnus Carlsen.
Erigasi recorded his presence in the last two editions of the competition as well. Besides Erigaisi, notable players such as Netherlands’ Anish Giri and Germany’s Vincent Keymer will also compete in the tournament.
