Chess frenzy in Chennai, which is hosting the 44th chess olympiad, has reached new heights -- or rather depths.
In videos and shots that have gone viral, a team of six scuba drivers are seen playing chess underwater. The battle of minds at 60 feet under the sea surface also features the chess olympiad's mascot Thambi.
The team used specially designed heavy coins as chess pieces.
"Chess is our pride. We are celebrating that. Art director Saravanan created a replica of the mascot, Thambi, for us," said SB Aravind Tharunsri, scuba diving instructor.
"No plastic was used in the stunt and neither did we leave anything behind," he added.
Videos and shots of the spectacle have been widely shared on social media.
Authorities in Chennai have made every effort for the promotion of the international tournament. The iconic Napier Bridge in the city has been painted in black and white colours to resemble a chess board.
The district of Pudukkottai produced a dance performance that went viral on social media. The performance combined classical, folk and martial art elements in the choreography that showed various chess pieces coming to life and engaging in battle on the chess board.
Meanwhile, Indian teams continued their winning run in the Open section of the Olympiad with all three earning easy victories over their opponents on Sunday.
India 'A', second-seeded in the competition, won against Greece courtesy if Grandmasters P Harikrishna and Arjun Erigaisi. India 'B' registered a 4-0 victory over Switzerland while the third team battered Iceland 3-1.
India 'A' Grandmaster Vidit S Gujrathi, playing on second word, had to settle for a draw against Greek grandmaster Nikolaos Theodorou while K Sasikiran was held by Evgenios Ioannidis.
Chess Prodigy R Praggnanandhaa Shares "Checkmate Moment" From English Exam Chess, Dosa And Vada, The 44th Chess Olympiad Has It All Anand Mahindra's Praise As Chess Pieces Come Alive At Chennai Olympiad Barack Obama Wants Joe Biden To Pull Out Of US Presidential Race: Report World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Shooter Had Trump's Face Right In Middle Of Crosshairs, Shows New Video Comedy Legend Bob Newhart Dead At 94: Publicist Israeli Strike Kills Field Commander In Elite Hezbollah Unit: Report Delhi-San Francisco Air India Flight Diverted To Russia After Engine Glitch Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.