According to AICF secretary PT Ummer Koya, the Federation's Long Term Development Plan (LTDP) for 1999-2002, submitted to the government, contained various projects like engaging coaches/trainers and holding mega events in the period.

``We are happy the government has cleared everything and promised to promote chess like other major disciplines,'' said Koya.

India has been found wanting in the area of top-class coaching ever since young talent started to emerge in the last 10 years. ``Previously, even former Indian players could train the youngsters, but now that even the juniors are so strong, it requires qualified coaches and trainers -- like the former Soviets -- to shape them for tough battles,'' he reasoned.

The names that have been recommended by the federation are: Grandmaster Alexander Baburin, International Master Alexander Lyssenko and GM Krasenkov.The coaches will have to be paid $5000 per coaching camp, in addition to hospitality, passage and other perks.

The frequency of the camps recommended are: One each for sub-juniors, juniors, senior men and women and the duration, 45 days in April-May, 30 in October-November.

The LTDP includes a blueprint for the conduct of a Super GM Tournament in New Delhi in December 1999 with the participation of the world's top six players in a round robin format. The event will bring Viswanathan Anand to a tournament (not official matches) in India for the first time since 1992, when he played in Calcutta in the Goodricke soon after defeating Garry Kasparov at Reggio Emilia.

The total outlay of this super-category tournament is Rs 1.12 crore. Kasparov, Vladimir Kramnik, Anatoly Karpov, Alexie Shirov and Vassily Ivanchuk are the others to be invited for the big meet.

Koya said the number of rated players in India was increasing by leaps and bounds every year. ``Now it stands above 570. Our objective is to take itbeyond 1,000 by 2002,'' he said.

AICF's major events in the year are the Commonwealth Championship from April 15-26 at Bikaner and the Asian Zonal in March in Mumbai. A sports protocol has also been signed between Indian and countries like Iran, Bangladesh, Iraq and Bulgaria under the cultural exchanges programme. The AICF is also planning to introduce Test matches between India and these countries in the Olympiad format.

KO event as scheduled: According to a faxed message received at the AICF headquarters at Kozhikode from the world chess federation (FIDE) president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the second World Knockout Championship will be held as planned in Las Vegas in June/July. He dispelled rumours that the event would be cancelled.

``The FIDE secretariat will announce the details of the championship in two weeks,'' it said.