MEPCO Sports Academy 1st International FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament 2026
MEPCO Sports Academy proudly presents the 1st International FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament 2026 to be held at MEPCO Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. This prestigious chess championship invites players from across India and international participants to compete in a professionally organized FIDE-rated chess event.
The tournament offers a massive total prize fund of Rs.5,00,000 with 175 prizes including trophies, cups, and category awards. Players from all rating categories including unrated players, district players, women players, veterans, and differently-abled players can participate and compete for attractive cash prizes.
This international chess event follows the latest FIDE rules and Swiss-system format with experienced arbiters and organizers ensuring fair and professional competition.
Tournament Highlights
- International FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament
- Total Prize Fund: Rs.5,00,000
- Total Prizes: 175
- First Prize: Rs.70,000 + Trophy
- Venue: MEPCO Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi
- Organized by MEPCO Sports Academy & Sivakasi Chess Sparklers
- Swiss League Format
- 9 Rounds Tournament
- FIDE Rated Event
- Attractive Category Prizes
- District and Women Special Prizes
- Veteran & Differently-Abled Player Awards
Tournament Venue Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament Name | MEPCO Sports Academy 1st International FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament 2026 |
| Venue | MEPCO Schlenk Engineering College |
| Location | Sivakasi – Virudhunagar Road |
| City | Sivakasi |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Pincode | 626005 |
| Tournament Dates | 17 June 2026 to 21 June 2026 |
| Event Type | International FIDE Rated Open Tournament |
| System of Play | Swiss System |
| Total Rounds | 9 Rounds |
| Time Control | 90 Minutes + 30 Seconds Increment |
| Default Time | 15 Minutes |
| AICF Event Code | 472436/TN/2026 |
| TNSCA Approval No | RO-11/VNR/26-27 |
Entry Fee Details
| Player Category | Entry Fee |
| Rated Below 1799 & Unrated | Rs.2250 |
| Rated Above 1800 & Virudhunagar District Players | Rs.2000 |
| GM, IM, WGM & WIM Players | FREE |
| Early Bird Discount | Rs.250 Off before 06.06.2026 |
Main Prize Details
| Rank | Prize Amount |
| 1st Prize | Rs.70,000 + Trophy |
| 2nd Prize | Rs.50,000 + Trophy |
| 3rd Prize | Rs.35,000 + Trophy |
| 4th Prize | Rs.20,000 |
| 5th Prize | Rs.15,000 |
| 6th Prize | Rs.13,000 |
| 7th Prize | Rs.11,000 |
| 8th Prize | Rs.10,000 |
| 9th Prize | Rs.9,000 |
| 10th Prize | Rs.8,000 |
| 11th Prize | Rs.7,000 |
| 12th Prize | Rs.6,000 |
| 13th Prize | Rs.5,000 |
| 14th Prize | Rs.4,000 |
| 15th Prize | Rs.3,000 |
| 16th to 35th Prize | Rs.2,500 |
Rating Category Prize Details
| Rating Category | Rank | Prize |
| Rating 1400-1599 | 1st | Rs.10,000 + Trophy |
| Rating 1400-1599 | 2nd | Rs.7,000 + Trophy |
| Rating 1400-1599 | 3rd | Rs.5,000 + Trophy |
| Rating 1400-1599 | 4th | Rs.4,000 |
| Rating 1400-1599 | 5th | Rs.3,500 |
| Rating 1400-1599 | 6th | Rs.3,000 |
| Rating 1400-1599 | 7th-14th | Rs.2,500 |
| Rating 1600-1799 | 1st | Rs.10,000 + Trophy |
| Rating 1600-1799 | 2nd | Rs.7,000 + Trophy |
| Rating 1600-1799 | 3rd | Rs.5,000 + Trophy |
| Rating 1600-1799 | 4th | Rs.4,000 |
| Rating 1600-1799 | 5th | Rs.3,500 |
| Rating 1600-1799 | 6th | Rs.3,000 |
| Rating 1600-1799 | 7th-14th | Rs.2,500 |
| Rating 1800-1999 | 1st | Rs.10,000 + Trophy |
| Rating 1800-1999 | 2nd | Rs.7,000 + Trophy |
| Rating 1800-1999 | 3rd | Rs.5,000 + Trophy |
| Rating 1800-1999 | 4th | Rs.4,000 |
| Rating 1800-1999 | 5th | Rs.3,500 |
Unrated & District Prize Details
| Category | Rank | Prize |
| Unrated Players | 1st | Rs.5,000 |
| Unrated Players | 2nd | Rs.4,000 |
| Unrated Players | 3rd | Rs.3,500 |
| Unrated Players | 4th | Rs.3,000 |
| Unrated Players | 5th | Rs.2,500 |
| Virudhunagar District | 1st | Rs.5,000 |
| Virudhunagar District | 2nd | Rs.4,000 |
| Virudhunagar District | 3rd | Rs.3,500 |
| Virudhunagar District | 4th | Rs.3,000 |
| Virudhunagar District | 5th | Rs.2,500 |
Special Prize Categories
| Category | Prize |
| Veteran Players | Rs.5,000 / Rs.3,500 |
| Best Woman Player (Above 15) | Rs.2,500 |
| Best Differently Abled Player | Rs.2,500 |
| Youngest Player of Tournament | 1 Cup |
Age Category Prize Details
| Category | Boys Open | Girls Open | Boys (VNR District) | Girls (VNR District) |
| Under 8 | 10 Cups | 5 Cups | 5 Cups | 3 Cups |
| Under 10 | 10 Cups | 5 Cups | 5 Cups | 3 Cups |
| Under 12 | 10 Cups | 5 Cups | 5 Cups | 3 Cups |
| Under 15 | 10 Cups | 5 Cups | 5 Cups | 3 Cups |
Rules & Regulations
| Rule | Details |
| System of Play | Latest FIDE Rules & Swiss System |
| Number of Rounds | 9 Rounds |
| Time Control | 90 Minutes + 30 Seconds Increment |
| Tie Break | Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, Direct Encounter |
| Default Time | 15 Minutes |
| AICF Registration | Mandatory for all Indian Players |
| TNSCA Registration | Mandatory for Tamil Nadu Players |
Registration Information
Players are requested to complete AICF and TNSCA registrations before participating in the tournament. Entries must be submitted on or before 13 June 2026 at 6:00 PM through approved chess registration platforms.
Organizing Committee
| Designation | Name |
| Tournament Director | Dr. S. Arivazhagan |
| Organizing Secretary | Mr. N. Narendran Kamak |
| Organizers | MEPCO Schlenk Engineering College & Sivakasi Chess Sparklers |
| Contact Number | 9843426884 |
| mepcosportsacademy@gmail.com |
Why Participate in this Tamil Nadu Chess Tournament?
The MEPCO Sports Academy International FIDE Rated Chess Tournament is one of the leading chess tournaments in Tamil Nadu for 2026. With high prize money, professional arrangements, international-level competition, and category-based opportunities for junior and senior players, this event provides an excellent platform for improving FIDE ratings and gaining tournament experience.
Chess players from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and across India are expected to participate in this grand chess championship at Sivakasi.
Online payment is not available for this event. Contact the organizer to register:
📞 Mobile No : 9843426884 Dr. S. Arivazhagan | Mr. N. Narendran Kamak
MEPCO Schlenk Engineering College & Sivakasi Chess Sparklers
MEPCO Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi – Virudhunagar Road