Long before chess clocks buzzed at lightning speed in Kolkata, the roots of India’s only Super Rapid and Blitz chess event can be traced back nearly a century to a historic tournament held in the Netherlands on the eve of World War II. What began as a European experiment in faster, spectator-friendly chess has today found renewed life in eastern India, blending global legacy with local passion.
The inspiration comes from the 1938 AVRO Chess Tournament, widely regarded as one of the strongest chess events ever organised. Hosted across multiple Dutch cities, the tournament featured legendary players such as Paul Keres, Reuben Fine, José Capablanca, and Alexander Alekhine. While classical chess dominated the era, the AVRO organisers focused heavily on presentation, audience engagement, and structured time controls ideas that were considered progressive for their time.
Though rapid and blitz formats as we know them today were not formally established then, the tournament’s emphasis on dynamic play and viewer experience planted the seeds for faster chess formats. The idea was simple yet revolutionary: chess could be intense, dramatic, and accessible beyond elite circles if the pace was right.
A Vision Reimagined in Kolkata
Fast forward to modern India, where chess has exploded in popularity thanks to global stars and digital platforms. Yet, for years, most elite tournaments remained confined to classical formats. It was in this gap that organisers in Kolkata found inspiration looking not just at modern events, but deep into chess history.
Drawing from the spirit of pre-war European tournaments like AVRO, Kolkata’s chess patrons envisioned an event that celebrated speed, skill, and spectacle. The result was India’s first and only Super Rapid and Blitz chess tournament, hosted in Kolkata a city already known for its intellectual and sporting culture.
Unlike traditional rapid events, the Super Rapid format sits between classical rapid and blitz, demanding extreme precision under pressure. Combined with blitz rounds, the tournament creates a high-adrenaline environment that tests instinct, preparation, and mental resilience qualities that resonate strongly with today’s generation of players and fans.
Bridging Eras Through Innovation
What makes the Kolkata event unique is not just its format, but its philosophy. Much like the Dutch organisers of the 1930s, the focus is on making chess engaging without diluting its depth. Live audiences, digital broadcasts, interactive commentary, and a compact schedule ensure that the game feels alive and immediate.
Chess historians see this as a natural evolution. “The AVRO tournament was ahead of its time,” note experts. “It treated chess as both a sport and a spectacle. Kolkata’s Super Rapid and Blitz event carries that same DNA, adapted for the modern world.”
India’s Place in Global Chess Culture
By hosting such a format, Kolkata has carved a niche for itself on India’s chess map. The tournament not only attracts strong domestic players but also sparks interest among international observers, positioning India as a country willing to innovate while respecting tradition.
In many ways, the journey from pre-World War II Netherlands to contemporary Kolkata reflects chess itself timeless, adaptable, and deeply interconnected across cultures. What started as a visionary European experiment now thrives in India’s east, proving that even in a game of ancient origins, inspiration can travel decades and continents to create something entirely new.
As clocks tick faster and boards grow fiercer in Kolkata, the echoes of a Dutch chess hall from 1938 quietly remind us that the past still shapes the future of the game.
