44th FIDE Chess Olympiad, Chennai

Technical Data

Date of Issue	July 20, 2022
Denomination	Rs. 5
Quantity	302,600
Perforation	comb 14
Printer	Security Printing Press, Hyderabad
Watermark	No Watermark
Colors	Multicolor
Catalog Codes	Yvert et Tellier IN 3486 Stanley Gibbons IN 3819
Themes	Chess \| Horses \| Mascots

Chess, one of the most ancient, intellectual, and cognitive games, is a combination of sport, scientific thinking, and an element of art. Chess, the game which, according to Voltaire, ‘reflects most honour on human wit,’ originated in ancient India. A number of similarities exist between modern chess and the Indian game called Chaturanga, which dates back to the 5th Century AD. Its original name in Sanskrit was Chaturangal, meaning ‘four arms’ or ‘four members.’ It was also the Indian word for the army, especially its four components.

In the 5th century, Chaturanga spread from India to Persia, and a little later, the Arabs learned the game. Chess entered Europe around the 10th century. Over the years, Chess has spread to other parts of the world. The modern era of Chess, however, dates back to about the 17th century when the pieces on the board gained their present form. By the 20th century, Chess, the game of honour and wit, had spread all over the world.

After the birth of FIDE (Federation Internationale des Echecs) in 1924, Chess attained the status of a dynamic sport. The advantages of the internet took the game to new heights. It is the only type of game that allows real competitions to be held in virtual space. FIDE aims at assisting the best chess players to continue achieving new peaks of excellence and to increase the pool of talent from which new champions would emerge.

FIDE was formed on July 20, 1924, the closing day of the first unofficial Chess Olympiad in Paris. This day (July 20th) is also recognized as the “International Day of Chess.”

Constituted as a non-governmental institution, FIDE was recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a Global Sporting Organization in 1999. In 200 countries, under the banner of FIDE, more than 10 million players are registered, who take part in over 5000 different tournaments every year.

FIDE organized the first official Chess Olympiad in 1927, which took place in London. There were 15 participating nations in the 1st Chess Olympiad. Another unofficial Chess Olympiad was held in Budapest, Hungary in 1926, while the second official Chess Olympiad was held in the Netherlands in 1928. The World Chess Federation (FIDE) has since 1950, conducted the official Chess Olympiads once every two years.

In the year 2022, the World Chess Federation (FIDE) announced a new tradition of Chess Olympiad Torch Relay. The First Torch relay commenced from New Delhi, India. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever Torch Relay of the chess Olympiad on May 19, 2022. This will be a regular feature in coming Olympiads, and the Torch Relay will commence from India to reach the host country of Chess Olympiads.

The 44th International Chess Olympiad is being organized at Mahabalipuram (Chennai), India, from July 28, 2022, to August 10, 2022. The event sees the participation of chess players from more than 180 countries, consisting of Super Grandmasters, world Champions, and the highest-rated players. The event is one of the largest gatherings of chess players and is expected to infuse passion and excitement into the minds of young Indians for this amazing sport.

The Department of Posts recognizes the contribution of FIDE in the promotion of Chess, a game that results in better brain function, improved memory and cognitive abilities, strategic thinking, and attention improvement. The Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad.