Kolkata, Dec 16 : Grand Masters K. Sasikiran and S. Satyapragyan will spearhead the men's challenge in the $5,000 prize money 16th Asian team chess championship to be held here Dec 20-28.

While Sasikiran will captain Indian Team A, Satyapragyan will lead Team B, as the host country is eligible to field two sides, organisers Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy said Wednesday.    

On the women's side, D. Harika will captain Team A while Nisha Mohota will lead Team B in the tourney set to be staged at the Town Hall.    

Besides India, nine other countries - Indonesia, Iran, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Nepal, Singapore and Mongolia - have already confirmed participation, and the organisers are expecting more entries in the next couple of days.    

India won back-to-back titles in the two previous editions of the meet in 2005 and 2008.    

Union Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the competition.    (IANS)