Golden tribute to chess Olympiad in Chennai

COIMBATORE: Kuniyamuthur-based goldsmith U M T Raja has made miniature gold chess pieces to celebrate the 44th Chess Olympiad to be held in Chennai from July 28.

The 52-year-old man, known for making gold miniature art, made the six chess pieces using 500mg of gold. It took him 24 hours to make the king, queen, rook, bishop, knight and pawn, which can be placed on a sewing needle, Raja told TOI.

A Class IX dropout, Raja first made miniature art to mark the Independence Day celebrations in 1998. He is also known for making a miniature signature of late chief minister K Karunanidhi and a mask to sensitise people about Covid-19.