International Master and Grand Master-in- waiting, Shardul Gagare of Maharashtra, is the top seed in the IIFL Wealth 1st Mumbai International Open and Juniors (Under 13) Chess Tournament starting here tomorrow.
GM Sriram Jha of Delhi, GM-elect Swapnil Dhopade, of Maharashtra and IM G A Stany of Karnataka, among others, are also in the fray in the Rs 15-lakh prize money event, out of which the Open winner would get Rs 7.5 lakh, a media release said today.
A separate prize fund of Rs 7.5 lakh is on offer in the under 13 section, making it the highest prize money junior tournament in the world, said the organisers.
Starting as the top seed is FIDE Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Bangladesh, while the Indian challenge would be led by Sadhwani Raunak, Aditya Mittal, Sankalp Gupta, D Gukesh, and Leon Luke Mendonca.
The junior event has attracted participants from four foreign countries -- Bangladesh, England, Nepal and USA.
The tournament would be held over nine rounds under Swiss System.
