New Delhi has joined Chennai and Singapore in the race to host the World Championship match between Dommaraju Gukesh and China's Ding Liren after the All India Chess Federation (AICF) backed the national capital's bid while accusing the Tamil Nadu government of acting unilaterally by pushing the southern city's name.

The international chess federation (Fide) CEO Emil Sutovsky on Saturday said all three cities "meet the criteria".

Sutovsky added Chennai was the first to bid for the much-anticipated match in November-December this year, while the New Delhi bid came in last.

"Three bids to host the FIDE World Championship Match-2024. Chennai, Singapore, New Delhi (in order of submission). All meet the criteria," Sutovsky wrote on 'X'.

The international chess body's council will discuss the issue and announce the winner later this month. The Chennai bid was made by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu while the All India Chess Federation bid for New Delhi.

It is unusual for two entities from the same country to bid for the tournament.

AICF president Nitin Narang said the national chess federation has bid for New Delhi and that a no-objection certificate (NOC) had been taken from the Indian government. He claimed that the Tamil Nadu government had not consulted the parent body before sending its bid.