A rousing reception was accorded to Chess Olympiad Torch relay this evening, as it reached Marrotichal village in Thrissur district, widely known as the Chess Village of India, thanks to its obsession with the game.

People thronged the narrow lanes as the jeep decked with white and blue balloons carrying the torch entered the village. Thrissur District Collector Haritha V Kumar received the torch from Grand Master Vishnu Prasanna, who brought it to the village from the Cochin  Airport on its arrival from Kavaratti.

A classical dance performance by artists from Kalamandalam and a Kalaripayattu demonstration added colour to the festive atmosphere. GM Vishnu Prasanna participated in a game of chess simultaneously with 30  players on the occasion.

The torch was later taken to the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.