National Challengers 2017 is now open to all
This year the National Challengers 2017 was going to be a very strong event as the AICF along with the organizers had decided to restrict the entries to only four selected players from every state and players rated above 2200 Elo in open and above 1800 Elo in the women's section. However, in the central council meeting of AICF it was decided that these restrictions will be relaxed and all the players can participate provided the name is recommended by their state associations. So the event is open to all and you can now book your accommodation and travel through the ChessBase India travel solution.
In 2016 the National Challengers was converted into an unrated event. This was done to ensure that many more top grandmasters participate without the fear of losing their rating points. This rule was overturned for the 2017 event. The National Challengers 2017 for Open and Women were both made into rated events. However, AICF had introduced a new rule of rating cut off.
As per the rule players below the rating of 2200 in Open tournament and below 1800 in the women's tournament would not be allowed to participate. This meant that the National Challengers was going to be an extremely strong event rating wise, but at the same time the bulk of the players would not be allowed to participate.
However, on the 25th of June 2017 at the Central Council meeting of All India Chess Federation (AICF) this decision was changed. The rating cut off rule at the National Challengers was lifted off and the events were made open for players of all ratings as well as unrated players. The only condition being that the entries of the players had to be submitted through their respective State Association.
Travel and Accommodation service by ChessBase India:
If you would like to book a flight ticket to the National Challengers 2017 or a hotel, please call us at the numbers given below, or write to us at the given email id. ChessBase India has started this travel solution and we would like chess players to make full use of it, so that their hassles related to stay and travel are minimized.
Email: accommodations@chessbase.in