Aamir Khan to play chess against grandmaster Viswanathan Anand to raise funds for Covid-19 relief

India is struggling to survive amid the novel coronavirus pandemic and many people are helping each other on an individual level. From gathering information about oxygen cylinders and vacant hospital beds to providing food to Covid patients, we have been hearing stories of empathy and compassion from across the city. 

Now, if we are to go with the recent reports, Bollywood star Aamir Khan will play a game of chess against the former world champion Viswanathan Anand on June 13 at an event called Checkmate Covid. The event is being organized to raise funds to help people who have been affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Aamir Khan has been roped in for the event’s celebrity edition.

The actor will play the match to raise money to fight Covid-19 against the grandmaster Viswanathan Anand virtually in an exhibition match on June 13 at 5 pm. The match will be live-streamed on Chesscom India’s YouTube Channel.

Held in association with The Akshaya Patra Foundation, the announcement of the match was made by Chess.com on Twitter. It read, “The moment you all have been waiting for! Superstar Aamir Khan, an ardent chess lover, will be playing an exhibition match against former world champion Vishy Anand! (@vishy64theking) Please feel free to donate generously to make this event a success (sic).”

The duo have been opponents across the chessboard earlier too. 

Meanwhile, Checkmate Covid will feature many more Bollywood celebrities such as Sajid Nadiadwala and prominent Indian personalities, who will play chess against Viswanathan Anand.

On the work front, Aamir Khan will be seen next in Advait Chandan’s directorial Laal Singh Chaddha. The film will also star Kareena Kapoor Khan and Mona Singh in pivotal roles. 

Laal Singh Chaddha is the Hindi remake of the Hollywood blockbuster Forrest Gump, which starred Tom Hanks in the lead role.