Tourism News
Chess Houseboat makes waves in Tourism Industry
Chess Houseboat 2023, an international chess tournament-cum-tourism event which is a harmonious blend of chess tournaments, travel sightseeing, dance, music, cultural and culinary delights, took place in major tourist hotspots in Kerala. Inspired by the Chess Train in Prague, the second edition of the festival was held from January 22 to 28 at a houseboat in Alappuzha, KTDC Aranya Nivas, Thekkady; KTDC Waterscapes, Kumarakom; and KTDC Bolgatty Palace, Ernakulam.
The event was organised by Orient Chess Moves, a collective of chess and travel connoisseurs, with the support of Kerala Tourism. Around 40 people from India, Switzerland, the U.S., Austria, the Czech Republic and other countries participated in the event. There were two championships – Rapid and Blitz; with the Rapid tourney consisting of nine rounds. Cultural programmes, a backwater cruise at Alappuzha and Kumarakom, a visit to Thekkady wildlife sanctuary, Kumarakom bird sanctuary and Marari Beach, and a chess lecture by an IM Mr Saravanan were part of the itinerary.
