2nd Vimana City’s International FIDE Rated Below 1700 Chess Tournament 2026
♟️ 2nd Vimana City’s International FIDE Rated Below 1700 Chess Tournament 2026
Chess enthusiasts and aspiring players have an exciting opportunity to compete in the 2nd Vimana City’s International FIDE Rated Below 1700 Chess Tournament 2026, proudly presented by Golden Square Chess Academy, affiliated with the Thanjavur District Chess Association.
The three-day tournament is scheduled from 27 September to 29 September 2026 at Kamala Subramaniam Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Pudukkottai Road, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu – 613007, approximately 1 km from the New Bus Stand.
The tournament promises a strong competitive platform with ₹11,00,000 in total cash prizes, along with bicycles, trophies and medals. The event also offers free accommodation for all players, making it particularly attractive for participants travelling from outside Thanjavur.
🏆 Tournament Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament Name | 2nd Vimana City’s International FIDE Rated Below 1700 Chess Tournament |
| Organizer / Presenter | Golden Square Chess Academy |
| Affiliation | Thanjavur District Chess Association |
| FIDE Rating | Below 1700 |
| Dates | 27 – 29 September 2026 |
| Total Rounds | 9 |
| System | Swiss System |
| Time Control | 45 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move from Move 1 |
| Total Cash Prizes | ₹11,00,000 |
| Cash Prizes | 83 |
| Bicycles | 10 |
| Trophies | 77 |
| Medals | 50 |
| Accommodation | Free accommodation for all players |
| Venue | Kamala Subramaniam Matriculation Higher Secondary School |
| Location | Pudukkottai Road, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu – 613007 |
| Distance from Bus Stand | Approximately 1 km from New Bus Stand |
| Chief Arbiter | IA Ganesh Babu S |
| Tournament Directors | Mr. Bala Kowshi D.S. & Mr. Kathereswaran A |
💰 Entry Fee & Registration
Players can register under the following fee structure:
| Registration Type | Fee | Last Date |
|---|---|---|
| Early Bird Entry | ₹5,250 | 10 September 2026 |
| Regular Entry | ₹5,500 | 24 September 2026 |
| Physically Challenged / Visually Impaired | 50% discount | — |
| Final Entry Deadline | — | 24 September 2026, 6:00 PM |
The entry fee can be paid through the chess registration platforms mentioned in the tournament brochure, including EasyPayChess, ChessFee, SigninChess, ChessCircle, ChessEntry and ChessMII.
🥇 Open Category Prize Structure
The main Open category offers a substantial prize pool, with ₹1,00,000 for the champion, in addition to special prizes and trophies.
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₹1,00,000 + Motorcycle + Trophy |
| 2nd | ₹60,000 + Trophy |
| 3rd | ₹40,000 + Trophy |
| 4th | ₹25,000 |
| 5th | ₹20,000 |
| 6th | ₹15,000 |
| 7th | ₹13,000 |
| 8th | ₹12,000 |
| 9th | ₹10,000 |
| 10th | ₹10,000 |
| 11th | ₹10,000 |
| 12th | ₹10,000 |
| 13th | ₹10,000 |
| 14th | ₹10,000 |
| 15th | ₹10,000 |
| 16th–25th | ₹7,000 each |
| 26th–30th | ₹6,000 each |
| 31st–40th | ₹5,500 each |
♟️ Rating-Based Special Prizes
The tournament also provides dedicated prizes for players in different rating brackets.
Below 1400–1500
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₹70,000 + Motorcycle + Trophy |
| 2nd | ₹40,000 + Trophy |
| 3rd | ₹20,000 + Trophy |
| 4th | ₹15,000 |
| 5th | ₹10,000 |
| 6th–10th | ₹6,000 each |
| 11th–15th | ₹5,500 each |
Below 1501–1600
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₹70,000 + Motorcycle + Trophy |
| 2nd | ₹40,000 + Trophy |
| 3rd | ₹20,000 + Trophy |
| 4th | ₹15,000 |
| 5th | ₹10,000 |
| 6th–10th | ₹6,000 each |
| 11th–15th | ₹5,500 each |
Unrated Players
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₹50,000 + Motorcycle + Trophy |
| 2nd | ₹30,000 + Trophy |
| 3rd | ₹20,000 + Trophy |
| 4th | ₹10,000 |
| 5th | ₹10,000 |
| 6th–10th | ₹5,500 each |
🏅 Special Category Prizes
Apart from the Open and rating-category prizes, the tournament provides special recognition for Thanjavur players and veteran players.
| Category | Position | Prize / Award |
|---|---|---|
| Thanjavur Players | 1st | ₹6,000 + Trophy |
| Thanjavur Players | 2nd–10th | Trophy |
| Veteran Players | 1st | ₹6,000 + Trophy |
| Veteran Players | 2nd | ₹5,500 + Trophy |
| Veteran Players | 3rd–5th | Trophy |
👦👧 Age Categories – Boys & Girls Separately
One of the major attractions for young chess players is the separate age-category competition for boys and girls.
| Age Category | Boys | Girls | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 7 | Separate | Separate | 1st–5th Trophies; 6th–10th Medals |
| Under 9 | Separate | Separate | 1st–5th Trophies; 6th–10th Medals |
| Under 11 | Separate | Separate | 1st–5th Trophies; 6th–10th Medals |
| Under 13 | Separate | Separate | 1st–5th Trophies; 6th–10th Medals |
| Under 15 | Separate | Separate | 1st–5th Trophies; 6th–10th Medals |
The brochure specifically highlights Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15 categories, with boys and girls competing separately.
📅 Round Schedule
All nine rounds are scheduled across the three tournament days.
| Round | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Inaugural Ceremony | 27 Sep 2026 | 9:00 AM |
| Round 1 | 27 Sep 2026 | 10:00 AM |
| Round 2 | 27 Sep 2026 | 1:30 PM |
| Round 3 | 27 Sep 2026 | 4:30 PM |
| Round 4 | 28 Sep 2026 | 9:00 AM |
| Round 5 | 28 Sep 2026 | 1:00 PM |
| Round 6 | 28 Sep 2026 | 4:00 PM |
| Round 7 | 29 Sep 2026 | 8:30 AM |
| Round 8 | 29 Sep 2026 | 11:30 AM |
| Round 9 | 29 Sep 2026 | 2:30 PM |
| Prize Distribution Ceremony | 29 Sep 2026 | 6:00 PM |
📍 Tournament Venue
Kamala Subramaniam Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Address:
Pudukkottai Road,
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu – 613007
Location advantage: Approximately 1 km from Thanjavur New Bus Stand.
🏨 Accommodation for Players
A major benefit of the tournament is free accommodation for all players.
| Accommodation Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Players | Free accommodation |
| Type | Unfurnished hostel-type shared accommodation |
| Location | At the venue |
| Accompanying Persons | ₹700 per person for the entire tournament |
| Male/Female Accommodation | Separate buildings |
| Mixed Gender Rooms | Not permitted |
| Bedding | Players must bring their own bedding |
Food stalls will also be available at the venue throughout the tournament at a reasonable cost.
Accommodation Contact
| Language | Contact |
|---|---|
| English & Tamil | 959763478 |
| Hindi | 9345539740 |
📞 Registration & Contact Details
Tournament Entry Contacts
| Language | Contact Number |
|---|---|
| English & Tamil | 9600305651 / 7010991815 |
| Hindi | 7999490130 |
Bank Payment
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Account Name | Golden Square Chess Academy |
| A/C No. | 029302000000999 |
| IFSC | IOBA0000293 |
| Bank | Indian Overseas Bank |
| Branch | POONDI branch, Thanjavur |
Players paying through bank transfer or online payment are instructed in the brochure to send a scanned copy of the receipt/challan through WhatsApp to 9600305651 / 7010991815.
📜 Tournament Rules
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| System of Play | Latest FIDE rules in force |
| Tournament System | Swiss System |
| Rounds | 9 |
| Time Control | 45 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move from Move 1 |
| Default Time | 15 minutes |
| Tie Break | Buchholz |
| Prize Sharing | Prizes will not be shared in case of a tie |
| Protest Fee | ₹1,000 |
| Protest Time | Within 15 minutes of incident |
| Withdrawal | Players may withdraw after informing the Chief Arbiter in writing |
| Wrist Watches | Not permitted while playing in FIDE-rated events |
| Chief Arbiter | IA Ganesh Babu S |
🪪 Player Registration Requirements
AICF player registration is compulsory for Indian players, while TNSCA registration is compulsory for Tamil Nadu players. The brochure also mentions Thanjavur District Chess Association registration for Thanjavur district players.
| Registration | Applicable Players | Fee Mentioned |
|---|---|---|
| AICF Registration | Indian players | ₹300 for 2026–27 |
| TNSCA Registration | Tamil Nadu players | ₹150 for 2026–27 |
| Thanjavur DCA Registration | Thanjavur district players | ₹75 for 2026–27 |
Players should complete the required federation registrations before participating in the tournament.
🌟 Places to Visit in Thanjavur
Players and accompanying family members can also explore several attractions around the tournament venue.
| Tourist Attraction | Approx. Distance from Venue | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Big Temple | 6 km | Famous 11th-century Shiva temple built by Raja Raja Chola I |
| Rajali Bird Park | 6 km | Bird sanctuary featuring exotic and native birds |
| Thanjavur Maratha Palace | 7.5 km | Historic palace, art gallery and Saraswathi Mahal Library |
| Sivaganga Park | 6.7 km | Recreational park suitable for families |
| Kallanai / Grand Anicut | 45 km | Ancient Chola-era dam on the Kaveri River |
The tournament brochure also lists GRK Residency (200 m) and TPK Residency (500 m) as nearby hotels.
♜ Why Chess Players Should Consider This Tournament
The 2nd Vimana City’s International FIDE Rated Below 1700 Chess Tournament 2026 combines competitive FIDE-rated chess with an unusually large prize structure. With ₹11 lakh in total cash prizes, 83 cash prizes, 10 bicycles, 77 trophies and 50 medals, there are opportunities for players across several levels and age groups.
The tournament is particularly attractive to young chess players, unrated players, lower-rated players, veteran players and local Thanjavur players, thanks to its dedicated prize categories.
The combination of nine Swiss-system rounds, FIDE-rated competition, free player accommodation and separate Under-7 to Under-15 boys’ and girls’ categories makes this a noteworthy chess event in Tamil Nadu in September 2026.
📌 Quick Event Summary
Event: 2nd Vimana City’s International FIDE Rated Below 1700 Chess Tournament 2026
Dates: 27–29 September 2026
Venue: Kamala Subramaniam Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Thanjavur
Prize Pool: ₹11,00,000
Rounds: 9
System: Swiss
Time Control: 45 minutes + 30-second increment
Entry: ₹5,250 early bird / ₹5,500 regular
Early Bird Deadline: 10 September 2026
Final Entry Deadline: 24 September 2026, 6:00 PM
Accommodation: Free for players
Chief Arbiter: IA Ganesh Babu S
Contact: 9600305651 / 7010991815
Email: goldensquareca64@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is the 2nd Vimana City Chess Tournament 2026?
The 2nd Vimana City’s International FIDE Rated Below 1700 Chess Tournament 2026 will be conducted from 27 September to 29 September 2026.
2. Where is the Vimana City Chess Tournament being held?
The tournament will be held at Kamala Subramaniam Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Pudukkottai Road, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu – 613007.
3. What is the total prize money?
The tournament offers a total prize pool of ₹11,00,000, along with bicycles, trophies and medals.
4. What is the rating restriction for the tournament?
The event is an International FIDE Rated Below 1700 Chess Tournament, intended for eligible players with a FIDE rating below 1700 according to the tournament regulations.
5. How many rounds will be played?
A total of 9 rounds will be played under the Swiss System.
6. What is the time control?
The time control is 45 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move from Move 1.
7. What are the junior age categories?
Junior categories include Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15, with separate categories for boys and girls.
8. What is the tournament entry fee?
The early-bird entry fee is ₹5,250, while the regular entry fee is ₹5,500.
9. When is the early-bird registration deadline?
The early-bird registration deadline is 10 September 2026.
10. What is the final registration deadline?
The final entry deadline is 24 September 2026 at 6:00 PM.
11. Is accommodation available for players?
Yes. Free accommodation is provided for players during the tournament, subject to the tournament’s accommodation arrangements.
12. Who can players contact for tournament registration?
Players can contact 9600305651 / 7010991815 for English and Tamil, and 7999490130 for Hindi.
13. What is the tournament contact email?
The tournament contact email is goldensquareca64@gmail.com.
14. Who is the Chief Arbiter?
The Chief Arbiter for the tournament is IA Ganesh Babu S.
15. Who is organizing the tournament?
The tournament is presented by Golden Square Chess Academy, affiliated with the Thanjavur District Chess Association.
Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only. Please verify the latest tournament dates, prizes, registration, eligibility, contact details and venue directly with the organizer and official website before registering or travelling. We are not responsible for changes, errors, cancellations or discrepancies.
Online payment is not available for this event. Contact the organizer to register:
Kamala Subramaniam Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Pudukkottai Road, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu – 613007