Chess Grand Masters 2024: Top-Ranked Indian Arjun Erigaisi To Face Vidit Gujarathi In Opening Round

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Chess Grand Masters 2024: Top-Ranked Indian Arjun Erigaisi To Face Vidit Guja...

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

World No four Indian chess grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, playing for the first time in India after crossing the historic 2800 ELO ranking mark, will open his Chennai Grand Masters campaign against compatriot Vidit Gujarathi in the opening round on Tuesday at the Anna Centenary Library.

Chennai, Nov 5: World No four Indian chess grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, playing for the first time in India after crossing the historic 2800 ELO ranking mark, will open his Chennai Grand Masters campaign against compatriot Vidit Gujarathi in the opening round on Tuesday at the Anna Centenary Library.

The eight-player strong classical event will see Aravindh Chithambaram take on Iranian, Amin Tabatabaei, Vachier-Lagrave Maxime will face Maghsoodloo Parham and American Grandmaster, Levon Aronian will dual with Alexey Sarana in the opening round.

The draw for seven round all-play-all event, the strongest classical event in India, was made at a special ceremony on Monday. The second edition of the competition will also feature a Challengers event featuring female players for the first time.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Atulya Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Youth Welfare and Sports Development, said, “Chennai has become the city of Grand Masters, we started with Chess Olympiad to Chennai Grand Masters last year we are now back with a grandeur Chennai Grand Masters this year. With Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minster’s support who are very passionate about promoting Chess, as well to make Chennai the sporting state, we are able to achieve these and make TN the best sporting state.”

In the Challenger category, Vaishali will take on Mendonca Leon Luke while Harika will play Pranav V. In the other two matches, Raunak Sadhwani will face off against Karthikeyan Murali and Pranesh M will play Abhimanyu Puranik

“When we first got approached with the idea, a week before the event, our Deputy Chief Minister and Atulya Misra, Additional Chief secretary were keen on doing the event every year from now on, cause it will be a game changer for a lot of talents like how the tournament helped Gukesh last year,” said Thiru. J. Meghanatha Reddy, Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu.

The Challengers event, which is introduced for this year, will give Indian prodigies the chance to compete in top-level tournaments. The event will also feature two women–a first for Chennai Chess Grand Masters–Harika Dronavalli and Vaishali Rameshbabu, sister of R Praggnanandhaa. The Challengers participants, will fight for a prize pool of 20 Lac, with the winner claiming 6 Lac and a direct berth in the Masters next year.

Gukesh had won the inaugural edition last year but will miss this year’s competition as he is preparing for the world championships title against Ding Liren of China.

--IANS

Deeply concerning: Jaishankar On Brampton Temple Attack; Slams Canada For Surveillance Of Diplomats

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Canberra, Nov 5: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar Tuesday expressed concern over the recent attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, calling it "deeply concerning" during a press conference with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong at Parliament House, Canberra.

"What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was obviously deeply concerning. And, you would have seen the statement first by the official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by the Prime Minister yesterday. So, that should, I think, convey to you how deeply we feel about it," Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar also condemned Canada's surveillance of Indian diplomats, slamming what he described as Canada's "pattern of making allegations without providing specifics."

"When we look at Canada for us, the fact that they're putting our diplomats under surveillance is something which is unacceptable," he remarked.

Referencing the videos of the temple attack, Jaishankar said, "Do look at the video, and I think it would tell you, in a way, the political space today, which is being given to extremist forces there (Canada), that so we believe in freedoms. We also believe freedom should not be misused."

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong echoed Jaishankar's condemnation of the attacks on the Hindu temples, expressing solidarity with the Indian community.

"In the wake of Diwali. It is very upsetting for members of the faith community and the broader Indian community. I would again say that people across Australia have a right to be safe and respected. People also have a right to peaceful protest; people have a right to express their views peacefully," she said, simultaneously stressing that violence and vandalism should be handled by law enforcement, referencing to the attacks on Hindu temples in Canberra last month.

"We are a multi-cultural democracy, we cherish that fact, but we also cherish the principles that enable that multi-cultural democracy to flourish -- respect and a right to express different views peacefully," she added.

The Brampton incident occurred when protesters carrying Khalistani flags clashed with devotees at the Hindu Sabha Temple, leading to skirmishes that were captured in unverified videos circulated on social media.

The videos showed some protesters wielding flagpoles and banners supporting Khalistan. Peel Regional Police have confirmed the arrest of three individuals connected to the incident, facing charges including assault with a weapon and assaulting a police officer.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the attack, calling it a "deliberate" act of violence in a strong statement on X.

"Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi wrote.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India also voiced its "deep concern" over the safety of Indian nationals in Canada, calling for the protection of places of worship.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario," and urged the Canadian government to prosecute those responsible.

The MEA emphasised that its consular services would continue, undeterred by "intimidation, harassment, and violence," underscoring India's commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad.

(IANS)

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Indian Stock Market Opens Flat, All Eyes On US Election

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Mumbai, Nov 5: The Indian stock market opened flat on Tuesday as buying was seen in metal, auto IT, PSU bank and pharma sectors during the early trade, as investors turned their attention to the closely-fought US election.

The Sensex was trading at 78,714.02 after slipping 68.22 points or 0.09 per cent in early trade. At the same time, the Nifty was trading at 23,989.50 after slipping 5.85 points or 0.02 per cent.

The market trend remained positive. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 1,409 stocks were trading in green while 840 stocks were trading in red.

Nifty Bank was at 51,123.70 after falling 91.55 points or 0.18 per cent. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 55,720.55 after slipping 64 points or 0.11 per cent. The Nifty Small cap 100 index was at 18,378.65 after slipping 46 points or 0.25 per cent.

ITC, L&T, infosys, HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, Reliance, Bajaj Finance, ITC and Power Grid were the top losers in the Sensex pack. JSW Steel, Tata Steel, Sun Pharma, HCL Tech, Tata Motors and IndusInd Bank were the top gainers.

According to market experts, with all attention focused on the outcome of the US presidential election, perhaps the more important domestic economic issue is not getting the importance it deserves

“It is important to understand that India’s underperformance is striking: while S&P 500 is up 20.45 per cent year-to-date, Nifty is up by only 10.36 per cent YTD. Clearly, domestic issues are weighing on markets,” they said.

In Asian markets, except for Seoul and Jakarta markets, the markets of Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Bangkok were trading in green.

The US stock markets closed in the red on the previous trading day in the election week. When voters go to the polling stations on Tuesday, they will have to decide between the top issues presented by Kamala Harris – abortion and character – or Donald Trump – immigration and the economy.

Meanwhile, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 4,329 crore on November 4, while domestic institutional investors bought equities worth Rs 2,936 crore on the same day.

“Investors can opt for the safe strategy of remaining invested and accumulating stocks in segments which can weather the volatility,” advised experts.

---IANS

Chess Grand Masters 2024: Top-Ranked Indian Arjun Erigaisi To Face Vidit Gujarathi In Opening Round

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