Napier Bridge is a bridge in Chennai, India, built over the Coovum River, connecting Fort St. George with the Marina beach. It is also one of the historic structures and landmark of the city.
Built in 1869 by Francis Napier, then governor of Madras presidency, the bridge connected the city's southern parts with the north where the British set up businesses around the port and established Fort St George as their hub. "As the bridge was of iron, it was attracting a lot of lightning.
The event was originally scheduled in Russia but as the war broke out between Russia and Ukraine, the International Chess Federation decided to look for new locations. As India emerged as the host country, the Central Government gave Tamil Nadu the hosting rights to host the high-profile Chess event.
A gala opening ceremony of the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad took place at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on July 28, 2022. The international chess event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.
The city's iconic bridge - which is always decorated with beautiful lights and themes - has now been painted like a chessboard for the upcoming event in Tamil Nadu. The surface and railings of the bridge that was constructed during British era has been painted in black and white square boxes.
Several eminent personalities in the city such as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, superstar Rajinikanth and Supriya Sahu-principal secretary of the department of environment, climate change and forests in the Tamil Nadu government, have lavished praise upon the new look of city's signature bridge.
With Chennai gripped in the Chess Olympiad fever, the iconic Napier Bridge decked up like a chess board has added vigour to the city. Videos and photographs of the bridge painted like a chessboard have taken the internet by storm.
A drone visual of the Napier Bridge has left netizens amazed. The clip shared by Instagram account drone captures shows the aerial view of the bridge painted in black and white, resembling a chessboard. Vehicles are seen rushing past through the bridge as the camera pans to show the bridge in all its glory amid the serene river.
Instagram users have showered love for the post and the clip has amassed more than 2.8 million views.
The city’s British-era Napier Bridge, built over the Coovum River near Marina beach, became iconic amid the 44th Chess Olympiad. A week ago, a video anthem was released featuring music director A R Rahman and Chief Minister M K Stalin walking along the bridge. Clad in all-white, both of them walked through the bridge accompanied by dancers in black.
On Thursday, the 44th Chess Olympiad was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The first edition of the Olympiad hosted in India began on Friday at 3 pm with players from 187 countries. The Olympiad is being held at the Four Points by Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort and Convention Centre, located on the East Coast Road in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
India will field three teams each in the Open and Women’s sections. Russia and China will be missing the Olympiad this time. The five-time world champion and legendary Viswanathan Anand has opted not to play and has chosen the role of a mentor.
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