R. Praggnandhaa, Std. 12 of Velammal Main School, Mogappair Campus and D. Gukesh, Std. 11of Velammal Vidyalaya, Mel Ayanambakkam had held the Olympiad Torch along with the Honourable Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamilnadu M.K. Stalin at the gala opening ceremony of the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad that took place at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on July 28.
This International event is hosted by India for the first time with around 350 chess champions around the world participating in the open and women sections.