CAPA Chess Academy – 6th International FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament 2026: Complete Guide

If you’ve been searching for the biggest chess events in Chennai this year, mark your calendar for the CAPA Chess Academy 6th International FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament 2026. Organized under the aegis of the Chennai District Chess Association (CDCA) and sanctioned by AICF and TNSCA, this five-day Swiss-system tournament brings together players of every age and rating category to compete for a total prize purse of ₹4,00,000.

Whether you’re a seasoned FIDE-rated competitor, a club-level player chasing your first rating norm, a junior prodigy, a women’s player, or a veteran returning to the board, this tournament has a category — and a prize — for you.

Event Overview

Venue Details

Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Periamet, Chennai – 600003

The tournament will be held at one of Chennai’s most iconic and centrally located sporting venues. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Periamet is a historic, spacious sports complex that regularly hosts major athletic, cultural, and community events, making it a fitting stage for a national-level FIDE-rated chess tournament.

Location highlights:

• Centrally located in North Chennai, close to Chennai Park Railway Station, making it easily accessible by suburban rail.
• Well-known landmark with ample ground space, indoor and outdoor playing areas, and parking facilities.
• Easily reachable from across Chennai and neighboring districts via road and public transport.

Tournament Schedule

Main Prize List

Rating Category Prizes

Prizes are awarded across four rating bands, each with an identical structure:

Special Prizes

Age Category Trophies (Under-7 to Under-15)

Beyond the open and rating categories, the tournament awards 150 trophies + 150 chess books across five junior age groups (Boys & Girls, top 15 each):

• Under-07 – Top 15 Trophies + 15 Chess Books
• Under-09 – Top 15 Trophies + 15 Chess Books
• Under-11 – Top 15 Trophies + 15 Chess Books
• Under-13 – Top 15 Trophies + 15 Chess Books
• Under-15 – Top 15 Trophies + 15 Chess Books

Rules & Regulations Summary

• System of Play: Latest FIDE Rules apply; Swiss system, 9 rounds.
• Time Control: 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move from move 1.
• Default Time: 15 minutes — a player arriving after this forfeits the game.
• Tie-Break: Buchholz system. Prizes are not shared in case of a tie.
• AICF Registration: Mandatory for Indian players (₹300 for 2026-27), done online in advance.
• TNSCA Registration: Mandatory for all Tamil Nadu players (₹150 for 2026-27).
• Chennai DCA Registration: ₹75 for the year 2026-27, applicable to Chennai district players only.
• Protests: Must be submitted in writing with a ₹1,000 protest fee within 15 minutes of the incident. The fee is refunded if the appeal is upheld.
• Appeals Committee: Formed from senior participants at the players’ meeting; decisions are final and binding.
• Withdrawals: Players may withdraw at any stage after informing the Chief Arbiter in writing.
• Wrist Watches: Not permitted on the board, per AICF regulations for FIDE-rated events.
• Entry Fee Payment: Online only.

How to Register

Entries can be submitted online through any of the following approved registration partners:

• www.bookmyfee.com
• www.chessfee.com
• www.easypaychess.com
• www.signinchess.com
• www.chessentry.in
• www.circlechess.com

Entry Fee: ₹2,000 per player, payable online only. DD/Cheque payments (in favour of Capa Chess Academy) are also accepted per player.

Bank Transfer (NEFT) Details:

Last Date of Entry: 23 August 2026, 5:00 PM

Contact Details

Advisory Committee

Location Information

Address: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Raja Muthiah Road, Periamet, Kannappar Thidal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003

The stadium is one of Chennai’s largest multi-sport complexes, home to several state sports association offices and regularly used for national-level tournaments and large public events. It’s a short distance from Chennai Park Railway Station and well connected by MTC bus routes and road, making it convenient for out-of-town players and parents travelling with junior participants from across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and beyond.

Why This Is One of the Top Chess Events in Chennai for 2026

With a total prize fund of ₹4,00,000, FIDE rating norms on offer, 150 trophies for junior categories, and dedicated prizes for women, veterans, and Divyang players, the CAPA Chess Academy 6th International FIDE Rated Open stands out among chess events in Chennai in 2026. Backed by the Chennai District Chess Association and a strong advisory committee of TNSCA and CDCA office bearers, and directed by International Arbiter V. Bhaskar, the tournament offers a well-organized, FIDE-standard playing environment for players of every level — from unrated beginners to titled competitors.

For updates, entry confirmation, and pairing details closer to the event, players are encouraged to reach out directly via the contact numbers or email listed above, or register through one of the official online partners.