7th Shaastra Rapid FIDE Chess Tournament 2026 – Chennai
The 7th Shaastra Rapid FIDE Chess Tournament 2026 is one of Chennai’s premier FIDE-rated rapid chess events, hosted at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras). With a massive ₹5,00,000 total cash prize, this tournament attracts titled players, rating category competitors, juniors, veterans, and emerging talents from across India.
📅 Dates: 6th & 7th March 2026
📍 Venue: Students Activities Centre (SAC), IIT Madras, Chennai
🏆 Total Prize Pool: ₹5,00,000
♟️ Format: 9-Round Swiss System
⏱️ Time Control: 15 Minutes + 10 Seconds Increment
📋 Tournament Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | 7th Shaastra Rapid FIDE Chess Tournament 2026 |
| Dates | 6–7 March 2026 |
| Venue | Students Activities Centre (SAC), IIT Madras |
| Format | Swiss System – 9 Rounds |
| Time Control | 15+10 (Rapid) |
| Default Time | 10 Minutes |
| Chief Arbiter | IA R Anantharam |
| Website | https://chess.shaastra.org/ |
💰 Entry Fee Details
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Entry | ₹2300 |
| Early Bird (Till 28 Feb 2026, 5 PM) | ₹2000 |
| GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs | Free Entry |
| IIT Madras Students/Faculty/Staff/Alumni | Discounted (Contact Organizers) |
📌 Last Date to Register: 4th March 2026, 5 PM
📌 No refund after first round pairing.
🏆 Prize Structure (₹5,00,000 Total Cash)
🥇 Main Category Prizes
| Place | Prize (₹) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 60,000 |
| 2nd | 50,000 |
| 3rd | 40,000 |
| 4th | 30,000 |
| 5th | 20,000 |
| 6th | 15,000 |
| 7th | 12,000 |
| 8th | 10,000 |
| 9th | 8,000 |
| 10th | 6,000 |
| 11th–20th | 5,000 Each |
🎯 Rating Category Prizes
⭐ 1400–1600
1st: ₹10,000
2nd: ₹8,000
3rd: ₹6,000
4th: ₹5,000
5th: ₹4,000
6th–8th: ₹3,000
⭐ 1601–1800
(Same prize structure as above)
⭐ 1801–2000
(Same prize structure as above)
👑 Special Category Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best Unrated (1–5) | ₹10,000 to ₹3,000 |
| Best IITM (1–5) | ₹8,000 to ₹3,000 |
| Best Veteran (Above 55) | ₹5,000 & ₹3,000 |
| Women Above 16 | ₹5,000 & ₹3,000 |
| Under 8–16 Boys | Trophies (1–6) |
| Under 8–16 Girls | Trophies (1–4) |
🗓️ Round Schedule
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Opening Ceremony | 6 March – 2:00 PM |
| Player Briefing | 6 March – 2:30 PM |
| Round 1 | 6 March – 3:00 PM |
| Round 2 | 6 March – 4:30 PM |
| Round 3 | 6 March – 6:00 PM |
| Round 4 | 7 March – 9:00 AM |
| Round 5 | 7 March – 10:30 AM |
| Round 6 | 7 March – 12:00 PM |
| Round 7 | 7 March – 2:00 PM |
| Round 8 | 7 March – 3:30 PM |
| Round 9 | 7 March – 5:00 PM |
📍 Venue Details
Students Activities Centre (SAC)
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Opposite CLRI & Beside Adyar Cancer Institute
Sardar Patel Road, Adyar
Chennai – 600036
🅿️ Parking: Limited and strictly with prior email approval.
📞 Contact Information
📧 Email: rapidchess@shaastra.org
📱 Sanjesh – +91 7483125099
📱 Veera Vardhan – +91 8317637345
📱 Anjana Sagar – +91 9281048599
📱 Charulekha – +91 94486 95898
📜 Important Rules & Regulations
- Tournament conducted as per latest FIDE Rapid Rules.
- AICF Registration (2025–26) mandatory.
- TNSCA Registration mandatory for Tamil Nadu players.
- CDCA Registration mandatory for Chennai district players.
- Mobile phones & electronic devices strictly prohibited.
- Fair Play regulations strictly enforced.
- Appeals must be filed within 15 minutes with ₹2000 protest fee.
- One player eligible for only one prize (higher category applicable).
Results may be available above or from the organizer.
Students Activities Centre (SAC), Indian Institute ofTechnology Madras (IITM), Opposite to C.L.R.I and beside the Adyar Cancer Institute Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai - 600 036