India, Nov. 10 -- Scroll through event listings across the city and you're bound to spot at least one chess tournament happening nearby. Call it the impact of the FIDE Chess World Cup (October 31 to November 27), returning to India after 23 years, or the inspiration drawn from new-age grandmasters like D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi, who have made the world sit up and notice Indian chess. Either way, the game's popularity has exploded across Delhi-NCR.

Blending technology and strategy, an AI Chess Tournament in Delhi is drawing young players who compete against AI-powered engines that explain moves in real time. "It's like chess and AI are evolving together," says a member of the organising team. Student Raghav Sharma adds...