Forking Knights International FIDE Rated Below 1650 Chess Tournament 2026
International FIDE Rated Chess Tournament 2026 – Chennai
Chess lovers across India are invited to participate in one of Chennai’s biggest FIDE-rated chess events of 2026. The Forking Knights International FIDE Rated Below 1650 Chess Tournament offers an exciting opportunity for aspiring players to improve their FIDE rating while competing for an impressive ₹5,00,000+ prize fund.
Whether you are a club player, school student, or experienced FIDE-rated competitor below 1650, this tournament promises four days of exciting classical chess at one of Chennai’s premier chess venues.
The tournament is organized by Forking Knights Chess Academy under the aegis of the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association (TNSCA) and the All India Chess Federation (AICF).
Tournament Highlights
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Forking Knights International FIDE Rated Below 1650 |
| Rating Eligibility | Below 1650 FIDE Rating |
| Tournament Type | International FIDE Rated Swiss Tournament |
| Total Prize Money | ₹5,00,000+ |
| Dates | 21st – 23rd August 2026 |
| Venue | Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai |
| Entry Fee | ₹2,500 |
| Time Control | 30 Minutes + 30 Seconds Increment |
| Number of Rounds | 9 |
| Pairing System | Swiss League |
| Organizer | Forking Knights Chess Academy |
Tournament Venue
Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
One of Chennai’s most popular destinations for major chess competitions, the Hall of Chess at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium provides:
Players from all over India frequently participate in FIDE-rated events conducted at this prestigious venue.
Tournament Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 21 August 2026 | Round 1 |
| 21 August 2026 | Round 2 |
| 21 August 2026 | Round 3 |
| 22 August 2026 | Round 4 |
| 22 August 2026 | Round 5 |
| 22 August 2026 | Round 6 |
| 23 August 2026 | Round 7 |
| 23 August 2026 | Round 8 |
| 23 August 2026 | Round 9 |
| After Final Round | Prize Distribution Ceremony |
Registration Information
Interested players should complete their registration before the closing date.
Entry Fee : ₹2,500 per player
Since seats are limited, early registration is recommended.
🏆 Main Prize Details
| Rank | Prize Money | Trophy | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champion | ₹50,000 | 🏆 | Yes |
| Runner-up | ₹40,000 | 🏆 | Yes |
| 3rd Place | ₹30,000 | 🏆 | Yes |
| 4th Place | ₹25,000 | 🏆 | Yes |
| 5th Place | ₹20,000 | 🏆 | Yes |
| 6th Place | ₹15,000 | Yes | Yes |
| 7th Place | ₹12,000 | Yes | Yes |
| 8th Place | ₹10,000 | Yes | Yes |
| 9th Place | ₹8,000 | Yes | Yes |
| 10th Place | ₹7,000 | Yes | Yes |
| 11th Place | ₹6,000 | Yes | Yes |
| 12th Place | ₹6,000 | Yes | Yes |
| 13th Place | ₹5,500 | Yes | Yes |
| 14th Place | ₹5,500 | Yes | Yes |
| 15th Place | ₹5,000 | Yes | Yes |
| 16th–20th | ₹4,000 each | Yes | Yes |
| 21st–30th | ₹3,000 each | Yes | Yes |
| 31st–40th | ₹2,500 each | Yes | Yes |
| 41st–50th | ₹2,000 each | Yes | Yes |
⭐ Rating Category Prizes
| FIDE Rating Category | 1st Prize | 2nd Prize | 3rd Prize | 4th Prize | 5th Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below 1600 | ₹3,000 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,000 | ₹1,500 | ₹1,000 |
| Below 1500 | ₹3,000 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,000 | ₹1,500 | ₹1,000 |
| Below 1400 | ₹3,000 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,000 | ₹1,500 | ₹1,000 |
| Below 1300 | ₹3,000 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,000 | ₹1,500 | ₹1,000 |
| Below 1200 | ₹3,000 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,000 | ₹1,500 | ₹1,000 |
| Below 1100 | ₹3,000 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,000 | ₹1,500 | ₹1,000 |
| Unrated | ₹3,000 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,000 | ₹1,500 | ₹1,000 |
👦 Age Category Prizes
| Category | Champion | Runner-up | 3rd | 4th | 5th | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 07 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | Trophy |
| Under 09 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | Trophy |
| Under 11 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | Trophy |
| Under 13 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | Trophy |
| Under 15 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | Trophy |
| Under 17 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | Trophy |
👧 Girls Category Prizes
| Category | Champion | Runner-up | 3rd | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 07 Girls | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | Trophy |
| Under 09 Girls | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | Trophy |
| Under 11 Girls | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | Trophy |
| Under 13 Girls | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | Trophy |
| Under 15 Girls | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | Trophy |
| Under 17 Girls | 🏆 | 🏆 | 🏆 | Trophy |
👴 Special Category Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best Veteran Player | Cash Prize + Trophy |
| Best Woman Player | Cash Prize + Trophy |
| Best Unrated Player | Cash Prize + Trophy |
| Best Differently-Abled Player | Cash Prize + Trophy |
| Best Local Chennai Player | Trophy |
| Best Tamil Nadu Player | Trophy |
Contact Details
| Vishnuram S (Tamil, English) | 9080755976 |
| Sundaraiah YR (Telugu) | 9094093190 |
| Chief Arbiter : Mr. Nandakumar V | International Arbiter |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tournament FIDE rated?
Yes. It is an International FIDE Rated Classical Chess Tournament.
Who can participate?
Players with FIDE ratings below 1650 and eligible participants as per tournament regulations.
What is the total prize money?
More than ₹5,00,000.
Where is the tournament conducted?
Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai.
How many rounds are played?
Nine Swiss rounds.
Results may be available above or from the organizer.
Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai