Viyugam Chess Academy International FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament 2026
Viyugam Chess Academy International FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament 2026 – Chennai
Chennai’s competitive chess calendar gets a major addition this August with the Viyugam Chess Academy International FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament 2026. Organized by Viyugam Chess Academy (affiliated to the Chennai District Chess Association), this nine-round Swiss league event brings together a total prize purse of ₹6,00,001+, along with 12 Smart TVs and 10 DGT clocks up for grabs across categories. With entry free for titled players (GM, IM, WGM, WIM), the tournament is positioned to attract strong participation from across Tamil Nadu and beyond.
Whether you’re a titled player, a club-level competitor, an unrated newcomer, or a parent scouting FIDE-rated events for a young player, here’s everything you need to know before the entries close.
Tournament Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Viyugam Chess Academy International FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament 2026 |
| Organizer | Viyugam Chess Academy (Affiliated to Chennai District Chess Association) |
| Dates | 12th – 16th August 2026 |
| Venue | Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai |
| Format | 9 Rounds, Swiss System (Latest FIDE Rules) |
| Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move from move 1 |
| Entry Fee | ₹3,000 |
| Total Prize Money | ₹6,00,001+ |
| Special Prizes | 12 Smart TVs, 10 DGT Clocks |
| Chief Arbiter | IA Arasu B |
| Entries Close | 6:00 PM on 09.08.2026 |
Free entry is offered to Grandmasters (GM), International Masters (IM), Woman Grandmasters (WGM), and Woman International Masters (WIM) — a strong signal that the organizers are aiming to draw high-rated players to the Open section and boost the overall competitive standard of the event.
Round Schedule
| Date | Schedule | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 12.08.2026 | Players Meeting | 10:30 AM |
| 12.08.2026 | Round 1 | 11:00 AM |
| 12.08.2026 | Round 2 | 03:30 PM |
| 13.08.2026 | Round 3 | 09:30 AM |
| 13.08.2026 | Round 4 | 03:00 PM |
| 14.08.2026 | Round 5 | 09:30 AM |
| 14.08.2026 | Round 6 | 03:00 PM |
| 15.08.2026 | Round 7 | 09:30 AM |
| 15.08.2026 | Round 8 | 03:00 PM |
| 16.08.2026 | Round 9 | 09:00 AM |
| 16.08.2026 | Prize Distribution | 03:30 PM |
With two rounds a day for the first four days and a single ninth round on the final morning, players should plan travel and stay around the 16th evening prize distribution, since prizes must be collected in person at the venue — no next-day collection and no third-party collection is permitted.
Prize Details by Category
Open Category (Top 25 Places)
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₹50,001 + Trophy + Smart TV |
| 2nd | ₹35,000 + Trophy + Smart TV |
| 3rd | ₹25,000 + Trophy + Smart TV |
| 4th | ₹15,000 |
| 5th | ₹12,000 |
| 6th | ₹10,000 |
| 7th | ₹8,000 |
| 8th | ₹7,000 |
| 9th | ₹6,000 |
| 10th | ₹5,000 |
| 11th–15th | ₹4,000 each |
| 16th–25th | ₹3,000 each |
Rating Category: 1601–1750
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₹35,000 + Trophy + Smart TV |
| 2nd | ₹25,000 + Trophy + Smart TV |
| 3rd | ₹15,000 + Trophy + Smart TV |
| 4th | ₹12,000 |
| 5th | ₹10,000 |
| 6th | ₹8,000 |
| 7th | ₹6,000 |
| 8th | ₹4,000 |
| 9th–10th | ₹3,000 each |
Rating Category: 1400–1600
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₹35,000 + Trophy + Smart TV |
| 2nd | ₹25,000 + Trophy + Smart TV |
| 3rd | ₹15,000 + Trophy + Smart TV |
| 4th | ₹12,000 |
| 5th | ₹10,000 |
| 6th | ₹8,000 |
| 7th | ₹6,000 |
| 8th | ₹4,000 |
| 9th–10th | ₹3,000 each |
Unrated Category
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₹35,000 + Trophy + Smart TV |
| 2nd | ₹25,000 + Trophy + Smart TV |
| 3rd | ₹15,000 + Trophy + Smart TV |
| 4th | ₹12,000 |
| 5th | ₹10,000 |
| 6th | ₹8,000 |
| 7th | ₹6,000 |
| 8th | ₹4,000 |
| 9th–10th | ₹3,000 each |
This is a good opportunity for unrated players looking to earn their first FIDE rating in a well-structured Swiss event with a serious prize incentive, without competing directly against titled players in the Open pool.
Best Veteran (55 and Above)
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₹4,000 + Trophy |
| 2nd | ₹3,000 + Trophy |
| 3rd–5th | Trophy |
Best Women (18 and Above)
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₹4,000 + Trophy |
| 2nd | ₹3,000 + Trophy |
| 3rd–5th | Trophy |
Children’s Category Prizes
Junior players have a full set of age-group categories, each awarding a DGT Clock + Trophy to the winner and a Trophy for 2nd through 10th place:
- U07 Boys & Girls (born on or after 2019)
- U09 Boys & Girls (born on or after 2017)
- U11 Boys & Girls (born on or after 2015)
- U13 Boys & Girls (born on or after 2013)
- U15 Boys & Girls (born on or after 2011)
This makes the tournament especially attractive for chess academies and parents in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu looking for a FIDE-rated event where young players can gain tournament experience alongside a meaningful prize structure.
Venue
Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
The venue is a dedicated chess playing hall within one of Chennai’s established sporting complexes, offering the space and infrastructure suited to a 9-round FIDE-rated Swiss event with strong participation numbers expected.
Tournament Rules at a Glance
- System of Play: Latest FIDE Rules, Swiss system, 9 rounds
- Time Control: 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move from move 1
- Tie-Break: Buchholz system; prizes are not shared in case of a tie
- Default Time: 10 minutes
- Wrist Watches: Banned during play as per AICF regulations
- Withdrawals: Permitted at any stage after informing the Chief Arbiter in writing
- Protests: Must be filed in writing with a ₹1,000 protest fee within 15 minutes of the incident to the Appeals Committee (refunded if upheld)
- Certificate: E-Certificate awarded to all participants
Player Registration Requirements
Before entering, players from Tamil Nadu and across India need to ensure their registrations are current:
- AICF Registration (compulsory for Indian players): ₹300 for 2026–2027. Renewals and fresh registrations must be completed online via the AICF player portal well before the event.
- TNSCA Registration (compulsory for all Tamil Nadu players): ₹150 for 2026–2027, done online via the TNSCA registration portal.
- Chennai DCA Registration (for Chennai district players only): ₹75 for 2026–2027.
New entrants should keep a scanned passport-size photograph (under 1MB, JPEG format) and birth certificate ready, along with a unique, valid email address, since these are required during the online registration process.
How to Pay the Entry Fee
Online payment portals:
- www.easypaychess.com
- www.chessentry.in
- www.signinchess.com
- www.Chessfee.com
- www.circlechess.com
- www.bookmyfee.com
Bank transfer:
- Account Name: Viyugam Chess Academy
- Account No: 8090197831
- IFSC Code: IDIB000B142
- Bank: Indian Bank
After payment, send the payment proof along with player details to viyugamchessacademy@gmail.com.
Entries close at 6:00 PM on 9th August 2026 — early registration is recommended given the prize pool is likely to draw a large field.
Contact for Further Details
- Mr. Lokesh N – +91 9500473599
- Mr. Sourav S – +91 9942792888
Why This Tournament Matters for Chess in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu, and Chennai in particular, has long been one of India’s strongest chess ecosystems — home to a dense calendar of FIDE-rated events, a deep pool of AICF and TNSCA-registered players, and a steady pipeline of junior talent moving through age-category tournaments each year. Events like the Viyugam Chess Academy International FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament 2026 add to this momentum by combining a serious Open-section prize fund with dedicated categories for rating bands, veterans, women, and five separate junior age groups — giving nearly every level of player a genuine reason to compete.
For players tracking FIDE rated tournaments in Tamil Nadu, this event sits well within the state’s August tournament window, offering a 9-round Swiss format that’s substantial enough to meaningfully move ratings while remaining a single-week commitment. For chess tournaments in Chennai specifically, the Hall of Chess venue at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium continues to be a go-to location for large-field FIDE events, and the free entry for titled players is a clear effort to strengthen the Open category and raise the average rating level of the field — which in turn benefits every player chasing rating points.
Academies, coaches, and parents planning a tournament calendar for the 2026–2027 season should note this event alongside other major Tamil Nadu fixtures, both for the competitive value and for the scale of prizes on offer — a total pool exceeding ₹6 lakh plus Smart TVs and DGT clocks is among the more substantial prize structures for a district-level FIDE Open in the state this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Viyugam Chess Academy FIDE Open Chess Tournament 2026? The tournament runs from 12th to 16th August 2026, with the players’ meeting and Round 1 on the opening day and prize distribution on the evening of 16th August.
Where is the tournament held? At the Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai.
What is the entry fee? ₹3,000, with entry free of charge for GM, IM, WGM, and WIM titled players.
Is AICF and TNSCA registration compulsory? Yes. AICF registration (₹300) is compulsory for all Indian players, and TNSCA registration (₹150) is compulsory for all Tamil Nadu players. Chennai district players additionally need Chennai DCA registration (₹75).
What is the time control and format? 9 rounds, Swiss system, with a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment per move from move 1.
What is the last date to register? Entries close at 6:00 PM on 9th August 2026.
Who do I contact for more information? Mr. Lokesh N (+91 9500473599) or Mr. Sourav S (+91 9942792888), or email viyugamchessacademy@gmail.com.
Online payment is not available for this event. Contact the organizer to register:
📞 Mr. Lokesh N – +91 9500473599 Mr. Sourav S – +91 9942792888 viyugamchessacademy@gmail.com.
Viyugam Chess Academy
Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai