FIDE-Rapid Open for Registration
Manchester City Chess Festival 2026 Category B Coimbatore | ₹11.5 Lakh Prize
📍 Sri Krishna Goundar Kalyana Mandapam, Ganapathy, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
♟ Tournament Information
CategoryFIDE-Rapid
Time Control30 mins + 30 seconds
Duration3 days
StateTamil Nadu
Entry Fee₹5,750
OrganizerVeer Chess Academy
ContactMr. Mani K, Secretary, Veer Chess Academy +91 88709 41083
🏆 Prize Distribution
📋 About This Tournament
Manchester City Chess Festival 2026 – Category B (Below 1800 Rated) | Coimbatore | ₹11,50,000 Prize
Veer Chess Academy proudly presents the Manchester City Chess Festival 2026. Category B is a FIDE rated, 9-round Swiss system tournament for players rated below 1800, held from 27 to 29 November 2026 at Sri Krishna Goundar Kalyana Mandapam, Ganapathy, Coimbatore. The total cash prize is ₹11,50,000, with laptops, LED TVs, chess clocks, smart watches and trophies, plus free accommodation for all players.
Tournament Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Manchester City Chess Festival 2026 – Category B |
| Presented by | Veer Chess Academy |
| Conducted with | Coimbatore District Chess Association (CDCA), TNSCA & AICF |
| Eligibility | Players rated below 1800 (including unrated) |
| Dates | 27 – 29 November 2026 |
| Venue | Sri Krishna Goundar Kalyana Mandapam, Ganapathy, Coimbatore |
| Total Cash Prize | ₹11,50,000 |
| System of Play | Swiss system, 9 rounds, latest FIDE Rules apply |
| Time Control | 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move from move 1 |
| Default Time | 15 minutes |
| Tie-break | Buchholz system. In case of a tie, prizes will not be shared |
| Chief Arbiter | IA Vijayaraghavan V |
| AICF Event Code | 486240/TN/2026 |
| TNSCA Approval No. | RR-24/CBE/26-27 |
| CDCA Event Code | RT 007 |
Round-wise Schedule
| Round | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 27 Nov 2026 | 10:00 AM |
| Round 2 | 27 Nov 2026 | 1:30 PM |
| Round 3 | 27 Nov 2026 | 4:30 PM |
| Round 4 | 28 Nov 2026 | 9:30 AM |
| Round 5 | 28 Nov 2026 | 1:00 PM |
| Round 6 | 28 Nov 2026 | 4:00 PM |
| Round 7 | 29 Nov 2026 | 9:00 AM |
| Round 8 | 29 Nov 2026 | 12:00 PM |
| Round 9 | 29 Nov 2026 | 3:00 PM |
Entry Fee & Early Bird Offer
| Entry Fee | Last Date |
|---|---|
| ₹5,000 (Early Bird) | 17 September 2026 |
| ₹5,500 | 17 October 2026 |
| ₹5,750 | 24 November 2026 |
Special concession: Physically challenged and visually impaired players get a 50% discount on the entry fee.
Category B Prize Details
The total cash prize is ₹11,50,000*, split across the Open (below 1800) section and four rating-band sections.
1. Open Category (Below 1800) – Overall Prizes
| Rank | Cash Prize | Additional Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | ₹70,000 | Laptop + Trophy |
| 2nd | ₹50,000 | LED TV + Trophy |
| 3rd | ₹30,000 | LED TV + Trophy |
| 4th | ₹25,000 | – |
| 5th | ₹15,000 | – |
| 6th | ₹10,000 | – |
| 7th | ₹10,000 | – |
| 8th | ₹10,000 | – |
| 9th | ₹8,000 | – |
| 10th | ₹8,000 | – |
| 11th | ₹7,000 | – |
| 12th | ₹7,000 | – |
| 13th – 20th | ₹6,000 each | – |
2. Unrated Category
| Rank | Cash Prize | Additional Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | ₹50,000 | Laptop + Trophy |
| 2nd | ₹30,000 | LED TV + Trophy |
| 3rd | ₹15,000 | Chess Clock + Trophy |
| 4th | ₹12,000 | – |
| 5th | ₹8,000 | – |
| 6th – 10th | ₹6,000 each | – |
3. Rating Band Categories (1400–1500, 1500–1600 and 1601–1700)
The same prize structure applies to each of the three bands.
| Rank | Cash Prize | Additional Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | ₹70,000 | Laptop + Trophy |
| 2nd | ₹40,000 | LED TV + Trophy |
| 3rd | ₹25,000 | Chess Clock + Trophy |
| 4th | ₹15,000 | – |
| 5th | ₹12,000 | – |
| 6th | ₹8,000 | – |
| 7th | ₹7,000 | – |
| 8th – 15th | ₹6,000 each | – |
4. Special Category Prizes
| Category | Rank | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran | 1st | ₹7,000 |
| Veteran | 2nd | ₹5,500 |
| Physically Challenged | 1st | ₹7,000 |
| Physically Challenged | 2nd | ₹6,500 |
| Physically Challenged | 3rd | ₹6,000 |
5. Boys & Girls Prizes (Awarded Separately)
| Age Groups | Rank | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Under 8, 10, 12, 15 | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Smart Watch + Trophy |
| Under 8, 10, 12, 15 | 4th – 10th | Trophy |
Registration Requirements
| Registration | Who Needs It | Fee (2026–27) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| AICF Player Registration | All Indian players (compulsory) | ₹300 | aicf.in/players |
| TNSCA Player Registration | All Tamil Nadu players (compulsory) | ₹150 | registration.tamilchess.com |
| Coimbatore DCA Registration | Coimbatore district players only | ₹75 | – |
For fresh registration, keep a scanned passport size photo (JPEG, under 1 MB), birth certificate and a valid unique email address ready.
How to Pay the Entry Fee
Bank or Website
Free Accommodation Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Players | Free accommodation for all players |
| Type | Unfurnished hostel-type shared accommodation at the venue |
| Accompanying persons | ₹1,000 per person for the entire duration of Category B |
| Bedding | Players must bring their own bedding |
| Rooms | Separate rooms for male and female players. Mixed gender accommodation is not permitted |
Rules & Regulations
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| AICF rating restriction | 1st or 2nd place finishers in any rating restricted tournament are not eligible for any rating restricted tournament for one year. Once a player crosses the rating threshold, they cannot play below that level for 36 months. |
| Protests | In writing to the appeals committee within 15 minutes of the incident, with a ₹1,000 fee (refunded if the appeal is upheld). |
| Appeals Committee | Formed from senior participants at the players meeting. Decisions are final and binding. |
| Withdrawals | Allowed at any stage after informing the chief arbiter in writing. |
| Rights of admission | AICF, TNSCA, Coimbatore DCA and Veer Chess Academy may accept or deny any entry without assigning reasons. |
| Prize distribution | Prizes are not given in advance. Winners must collect them personally at the Prize Distribution Ceremony. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited. |
| Wrist watches | Not allowed during play in FIDE rated events as per AICF regulations. |
Contact Details
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Queries & Support | Mr. Mani K, Secretary, Veer Chess Academy |
| Phone | +91 88709 41083 |
| Venue | Sri Krishna Goundar Kalyana Mandapam, Ganapathy, Coimbatore |
💳 Pay Here to Register
Online payment is not available for this event. Contact the organizer to register:
📞 Mr. Mani K, Secretary, Veer Chess Academy +91 88709 41083
Veer Chess Academy
📍 Venue & Location
Sri Krishna Goundar Kalyana Mandapam, Ganapathy, Coimbatore