In a novel event to foster peace in Asia, an Asian Internet Chess Festival among the Russian Cultural Centres was inaugurated in Chennai yesterday. A field of eight countries are vying for honours- represented by seven teams. The tournament was inaugurated by Mr Nikolay Listopadov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in south India by playing the first online move. World champion Vishwanathan Anand endorsed the tournament and remarked that Russia has a very special place in his heart.