ROOKIES ON TRACK

Chess is making solid but silent headway as a sport in India

32 is the total number of grandmasters in India. Russia leads the pack with 219 GMs. Ukraine is second with 80. Rs 2.8 cr is the total prize money spent by AICF in 2012 towards age- group and Open tournaments.

2,872 is the highest- ever rating in chess, achieved by Magnus Carlsen. Anand’s highest rating was 2,817 in September 2011. 27 is the number of times Magnus Carlsen, Anand’s challenger for the world crown, has been ranked No. 1, the most for any player.