Delhi chess player D K Chopra banned for life

The All India Chess Federation has banned Delhi chess player D K Chopra for life after he was found guilty of various misdeeds during the past four years.

The AICF took the decision during its Annual General Meeting, chaired by president JCD Prabhakar, on Sunday.

"Delhi chess player D K Chopra of Delhi was slapped with a life ban by the All India Chess Federation after he was found guilty of his various misdeeds for the past four years," said a statement from the AICF.

"Several complaints were received especially regarding his misbehavior with women and children during tournaments."

With the World Chess Championship scheduled to be held in Chennai from November 6 to 26, the AICF and Tamil Nadu State Chess Association decided "to organize many tournaments during the World Championship match between Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen’.

"Many tournaments are lined up from 9am to 1pm so that all those coming to Chennai will witness the Anand match. This the AICF members felt that the atmosphere will be 'like a carnival'," the statement added.

Among other decisions, former National A player V Hariharan, who represented India in the Asian Team Chess Championship held at Singapore in 1987, took over as AICF hon. secretary from Bharat Singh, who had to step down to be in tune with the Government of India guidelines on tenure of office-bearers in National Federations issues.

Bharat Singh was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the federation, while Kishor Bandekar of Goa was nominated as the joint secretary.

The AGM also announced new Rules regarding participation in Asian Continental Championship, World Junior Championship and selections for representing the country in official FIDE team championships.