Why the coastal town of Mamallapuram was chosen to host 44th Chess Olympiad

The international Chess Olympiad, organised by the Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE), will be held in India for the first time ever this year. The coastal town of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu was chosen as the venue for the 44th edition of the Chess Olympiad, leaving behind bigger and more well-connected cities like state capital Chennai. According to The Hindu, Mamallapuram’s well-connected transport network and the presence of several luxury hotels all helped in the selection of the coastal town as the venue for the international chess tournament.

Mamallapuram, also known as Mahabalipuram, is a UNESCO World Heritage site located less than two hours away from Chennai by road. A popular tourist destination with a string of 5-star hotels that can cater to the more than 2,000 participants expected to descend there for the Chess Olympiad also helped it become the host city.

Although these facilities are also available in Chennai, Mamallapuram was chosen as the venue so as not to inconvenience the public when politicians, dignitaries, VVIPs and international visitors arrive for the tournament, officials quoted by The Hindu said.

The rush of visitors, officials reasoned, would have become a hassle for school-going children and people going to office on weekdays. The 44th Chess Olympiad will take place between July 28 to August 10.