Hyderabad: Dronavalli Harika and Bhagyashree Thipsay were included in the Indian contingent of World Cup Chess tournament, which unfolds here on October 9.

The two names have been included by the world chess governing body FIDE, replacing unrated Farida Arouche and Houli Asma (both from Algeria), FIDE vice-chairman PT Ummer Koya told reporters on Monday.

Koya, who had earlier apprised Andhra Pradesh Industries Minister, K Vidyadhar Rao about the arrangements, said players would be coming from Tuesday and the tournament would be inaugurated by state governor Dr C Rangarajan on October 9 with the actual matches begin from October 10.

Pairings would be done after the players meeting on October 9, chief arbiter Castro P Abundo said adding the tentative time for play was fixed between 2.00 hours and 6.00 hours (IST).

About the format, Abundo said, the 24 players in each section (men and women) would be divided into four groups and they would be play in round robin format with leaders of each group entering the quarterfinal knock-out phase.

A 25-minute tie-breaker would be played if there is no result in knock-out phase. A further impasse calls for a five minute quick game. No result in this would lead to sudden death where whites, with six minutes, have to win against blacks, having five minutes time.

PTI