Below 1800 All India FIDE Rated Chess Tournament 2026
Below 1800 All India FIDE Rated Chess Tournament 2026 – Bengaluru (₹6,00,000 Prize Pool)
The 4th Rotaract RUAS × Children Chess Academy Below 1800 All India FIDE Rated Chess Tournament 2026 will be held from 28th to 30th December 2026 at the Dwaraka Auditorium, M. S. Ramaiah Campus, Bengaluru. With a total prize pool of ₹6,00,000, 9 Swiss-system rounds, and separate rating, age, women, veteran and specially-abled prizes, it is one of the biggest year-end FIDE rated events for players rated below 1800 in Karnataka.
Early Bird entry (₹2,699) closes on 30th October 2026, so register soon to save ₹301. There is no spot entry.
Tournament at a Glance
| Tournament | 4th Rotaract RUAS × Children Chess Academy Below 1800 All India FIDE Rated Classical Chess Tournament 2026 |
|---|---|
| Organisers | Rotaract Club of RUAS (Rotaract District 3192) and Children Chess Academy |
| Dates | 28th December to 30th December 2026 |
| Venue | Dwaraka Auditorium, M. S. Ramaiah Campus, Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Rating Eligibility | Below 1800 (FIDE rated and unrated players) |
| Format | Swiss System, 9 rounds, as per FIDE Laws |
| Time Control | 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment |
| Total Prize Pool | ₹6,00,000 |
| Entry Fee | ₹2,699 Early Bird (till 30th Oct) | ₹3,000 Regular (till 25th Dec) |
| Last Date to Register | 25th December 2026 (No spot entry) |
| AICF Event Code | 494627/KA/2026 |
| BUDCA Event Code | BUDCA/G043/2627 |
| KSCA Event Code | KSCA/GO90/2627/A |
| Chief Arbiter | Vasanth B H (IA) |
| Registration Partner | CircleChess |
About the Tournament
Hosted on the Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences campus, this event is organised by the Rotaract Club of RUAS together with Children Chess Academy. It is recognised by the All India Chess Federation (AICF), the Karnataka State Chess Association (KSCA) and the Bangalore Urban District Chess Association (BUDCA), and is FIDE rated. Games count towards your FIDE rapid rating, and players without a rating can earn their first one.
The event is built for improving players: separate rating-band prizes mean a 1450 player is not competing against an 1790 player for the same trophy, while the Open category still pays down to 100th place.
Venue and Location
The tournament is at Dwaraka Auditorium, M. S. Ramaiah Campus, Bengaluru. The playing hall is on the Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences campus. Boarding and lodging are not provided by the organiser, so outstation players should book accommodation near the campus early, as late December is a busy travel period.
Entry Fee and Registration
| Category | Fee | Valid Till |
|---|---|---|
| Early Bird Offer | ₹2,699 | 30th October 2026 |
| Regular Entry | ₹3,000 | 25th December 2026 |
Registration Key Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Refund Policy | Entry fee is strictly non-refundable and non-transferable |
| Last Date to Register | 25th December 2026 |
| Spot Entry | Not available |
| Registration Partner | CircleChess (scan the QR code on the official poster or visit the organiser website) |
| Free Entry | GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs (no boarding and lodging) |
| AICF ID | Mandatory for all players. Register or renew at prs.aicf.in/players |
| KSCA ID | Mandatory for all Karnataka-based players. Register or renew at karnatakachess.com/player-search |
| Boarding and Lodging | Not provided by the organiser |
| Certificate | E-certificate for all players |
Important Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Early Bird Offer ends | 30th October 2026 |
| Registration closes | 25th December 2026 |
| Tournament starts (Inauguration 9:00 AM) | 28th December 2026 |
| Tournament ends (Prize Distribution 5:30 PM) | 30th December 2026 |
Prize Pool Breakdown: ₹6,00,000 in Total
| Section | Prize Fund |
|---|---|
| Open Category (Top 100) | ₹4,23,000 |
| Rating Categories (4 groups, Top 20 each, 80 winners) | ₹1,44,000 |
| Special Prizes (Best Women, Best Veterans, Specially Abled) | ₹33,000 |
| Age Categories | 50 trophies and 50 medals |
Open Category Prizes (Top 100)
Total prize fund: ₹4,23,000. The top three also receive trophies.
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₹50,000 + Trophy |
| 2nd | ₹40,000 + Trophy |
| 3rd | ₹30,000 + Trophy |
| 4th | ₹25,000 |
| 5th | ₹20,000 |
| 6th | ₹15,000 |
| 7th | ₹12,000 |
| 8th | ₹10,000 |
| 9th | ₹9,000 |
| 10th | ₹7,000 |
| 11th to 15th | ₹5,000 each |
| 16th to 20th | ₹4,000 each |
| 21st to 30th | ₹3,500 each |
| 31st to 50th | ₹2,500 each |
| 51st to 75th | ₹2,000 each |
| 76th to 100th | ₹1,000 each |
Rating Category Prizes
Four separate rating groups: Unrated, 1401–1500, 1501–1600 and 1601–1700. Each group pays the top 20 players, for 80 rating-category winners and a total rating prize fund of ₹1,44,000.
| Rank (in each category) | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₹5,000 |
| 2nd | ₹4,000 |
| 3rd | ₹3,000 |
| 4th | ₹2,000 |
| 5th | ₹2,000 |
| 6th to 15th | ₹1,500 each |
| 16th to 20th | ₹1,000 each |
Age Category Prizes (Boys and Girls Separately)
Age groups: Under 7, Under 9, Under 11, Under 13 and Under 16. In each category, boys and girls are ranked separately. The top 5 in each get trophies and ranks 6 to 10 get medals, giving 50 trophies and 50 medals in total.
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st to 5th | Trophy |
| 6th to 10th | Medal |
Special Prizes
| Rank | Best Women (Top 5) | Best Veterans (Top 5) | Specially Abled (Top 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 | ₹2,500 |
| 2nd | ₹3,000 | ₹3,000 | ₹1,500 |
| 3rd | ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 | ₹1,000 |
| 4th | ₹2,000 | ₹2,000 | – |
| 5th | ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 | – |
Note: A player eligible for more than one prize will receive only the higher prize.
Tournament Schedule
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 28th Dec 2026 | 9:00 AM | Inauguration |
| 28th Dec 2026 | 9:30 AM | Round 1 |
| 28th Dec 2026 | 1:00 PM | Round 2 |
| 28th Dec 2026 | 3:30 PM | Round 3 |
| 29th Dec 2026 | 9:30 AM | Round 4 |
| 29th Dec 2026 | 1:00 PM | Round 5 |
| 29th Dec 2026 | 3:30 PM | Round 6 |
| 30th Dec 2026 | 8:30 AM | Round 7 |
| 30th Dec 2026 | 11:00 AM | Round 8 |
| 30th Dec 2026 | 2:30 PM | Round 9 |
| 30th Dec 2026 | 5:30 PM | Prize Distribution |
Rules and Regulations
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Time Control | 30 minutes + 30 seconds |
| System of Play | FIDE Laws, Swiss System, 9 rounds |
| Mandatory IDs | AICF ID for all players; KSCA ID for Karnataka-based players |
| Entry Fee | Non-refundable and non-transferable |
| Protest | Submit in writing to the Appeal Committee with a ₹1,000 protest fee within 10 minutes of the incident; refunded if the appeal is upheld |
| Appeal Committee | Five members |
| Withdrawal | Allowed at any stage after informing the Chief Arbiter in writing |
| Multiple Prizes | A player eligible for more than one prize receives only the higher prize |
| Equipment | Chess sets and clocks provided to all players |
| Prize Distribution | Players must be present to claim prizes; otherwise the prize is forfeited |
| Boarding and Lodging | Not provided by the organiser |
| Certificate | E-certificate for all players |
| Playing Arena | Bags, mobile phones, wristwatches and other electronic devices are not allowed |
Contact Information
| Contact | Name / Role | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Arbiter | Vasanth B H (IA) | Phone: +91 94486 22388 Email: vasanthbh@gmail.com |
| Customer Support | Children Chess Academy | Phone: +91 86608 08138 |
| Organiser Website | Children Chess Academy | www.childrenchessacademy.com |
| Venue | Dwaraka Auditorium | M. S. Ramaiah Campus, Bengaluru, Karnataka |
Why Play This Tournament?
- FIDE rated games to gain or establish a rapid rating.
- Rating-band prizes that give mid-level and unrated players a fair shot at cash.
- Cash prizes down to 100th place in the Open section.
- Dedicated prizes for juniors, women, veterans and specially-abled players.
- A well-organised campus venue in Bengaluru, with chess sets and clocks provided.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When and where is the Below 1800 FIDE Rated Chess Tournament in Bengaluru?
It will be held from 28th to 30th December 2026 at Dwaraka Auditorium, M. S. Ramaiah Campus, Bengaluru.
Who can participate?
Players rated below 1800, including unrated players, from across India. An AICF ID is mandatory for everyone, and a KSCA ID is mandatory for Karnataka-based players.
What is the entry fee?
The Early Bird fee is ₹2,699 (valid till 30th October 2026). The regular fee is ₹3,000 (valid till 25th December 2026).
What is the total prize money?
The total prize pool is ₹6,00,000. The Open category is ₹4,23,000, the rating categories ₹1,44,000, and special prizes ₹33,000, plus trophies and medals in the age categories.
How much does the winner get?
The Open category champion receives ₹50,000 and a trophy. The runner-up gets ₹40,000 and the third place ₹30,000, each with a trophy.
What is the time control and format?
Nine rounds of Swiss System under FIDE Laws, with 30 minutes plus 30 seconds increment per move.
Is there spot entry?
No. Registration closes on 25th December 2026 and there is no spot entry.
Is the entry fee refundable?
No. The entry fee is strictly non-refundable and non-transferable.
Which rating categories have prizes?
Unrated, 1401–1500, 1501–1600 and 1601–1700. Each pays the top 20 players.
Are there prizes for children?
Yes. Under 7, Under 9, Under 11, Under 13 and Under 16 categories each award trophies to the top 5 and medals to ranks 6 to 10, for boys and girls separately.
Is accommodation provided?
No. Boarding and lodging are not provided by the organiser. GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs get free entry but also without boarding and lodging.
Can I carry my phone or watch into the hall?
No. Bags, mobile phones, wristwatches and other electronic devices are not allowed in the playing arena.
How can I contact the organisers?
Call the Chief Arbiter Vasanth B H (IA) on +91 94486 22388, email vasanthbh@gmail.com, or call customer support on +91 86608 08138. The website is www.childrenchessacademy.com.
Final Words
With ₹6,00,000 in prizes, FIDE rating gains and categories for every age and level, the 4th Rotaract RUAS × Children Chess Academy tournament is a strong way to close 2026 over the board. Grab the Early Bird rate before 30th October, make sure your AICF (and KSCA, if from Karnataka) ID is active, and see you in Bengaluru.
Disclaimer: Details are based on the official tournament poster. Please confirm any changes with the organisers before registering.
Online payment is not available for this event. Contact the organizer to register:
📞 Chief Arbiter Vasanth B H (IA) Phone: +91 94486 22388 Email: vasanthbh@gmail.com Customer Support Children Chess Academy Phone: +91 86608 08138
Rotaract Club of RUAS (Rotaract District 3192) and Children Chess Academy
Dwaraka Auditorium, M. S. Ramaiah Campus, Bengaluru, Karnataka