Modern School 15th International Rating Chess Tournament 2026 – Chennai (For School Students)
Modern School 15th International Rating Chess Tournament 2026 – Chennai (For School Students)
School chess players across India have an exciting event to mark on their calendars. The Modern Senior Secondary School 15th International Rating Chess Tournament 2026 will be held at Modern Senior Secondary School, Nanganallur, Chennai, from Saturday, 1 August to Tuesday, 4 August 2026. Exclusively for school students, this FIDE-rated championship is organised under the aegis of the AICF, TNSCA, and CGDCA, with a total prize fund of ₹1.5 Lakhs.
Carrying AICF Event Code 477630/TN/2026 and TNSCA Approval No. RO16/CGL/26-27, this is one of the longest-running school-level international rating tournaments in the country — running annually since 2008. With a ₹25,000 first prize, dedicated age-category prizes for boys and girls, and a classical FIDE time control, it is an outstanding opportunity for young players to gain rating points and competitive experience.
Tournament At A Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Modern Senior Secondary School 15th International Rating Chess Tournament 2026 |
| Eligibility | School students only |
| AICF Event Code | 477630/TN/2026 |
| TNSCA Approval No. | RO16/CGL/26-27 |
| Dates | 1 August to 4 August 2026 |
| Organised By | Modern Senior Secondary School |
| Under the Aegis of | AICF · TNSCA · CGDCA |
| Total Prize Fund | ₹1.5 Lakhs |
| First Prize | ₹25,000 + Trophy |
| Format | 8 Rounds, Swiss League |
| Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move one |
| Default Time | 30 minutes |
| Venue | Modern Senior Secondary School, Nanganallur, Chennai – 600 061 |
| Entry Fee | ₹750 (Free for IMs, WIMs, FMs, WFMs) |
| Last Date for Registration | 28 July 2026 (No spot entries) |
About the Tournament
Modern Senior Secondary School has been hosting its International Rating Chess Tournament every year since 2008, making it the first-ever international rating chess championship organised at the school level in the region. The school has a proud chess legacy — it counts Grandmaster and Arjuna Awardee K. Sasikiran among its distinguished alumni, and has previously hosted CBSE Southern Zonal Chess Tournaments (2004, 2006) and the All India CBSE Chess Championship finals (2007).
Founded in 1968 in Nanganallur and affiliated to the CBSE since 1977, the school today serves around 2,400 students and places strong emphasis on co-curricular excellence, particularly chess. This tournament reflects that commitment, offering school students a professionally arbitrated, FIDE-rated competition.
Complete Prize List
A total prize fund of ₹1.5 Lakhs rewards the top 25 finishers in the open section.
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st Prize | ₹25,000 + Trophy |
| 2nd Prize | ₹20,000 |
| 3rd Prize | ₹15,000 |
| 4th Prize | ₹12,000 |
| 5th Prize | ₹9,000 |
| 6th Prize | ₹7,000 |
| 7th Prize | ₹5,000 |
| 8th Prize | ₹4,000 |
| 9th Prize | ₹3,000 |
| 10th Prize | ₹2,000 |
| 11th to 25th Prize | ₹1,600 each |
Category-Wise Prize List
Dedicated age-group prizes are awarded separately for boys and girls across four age categories, rewarding the top three in each.
| Category | First | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 14 Boys | ₹1,200 | ₹1,000 | ₹800 |
| Under 14 Girls | ₹1,200 | ₹1,000 | ₹800 |
| Under 12 Boys | ₹1,200 | ₹1,000 | ₹800 |
| Under 12 Girls | ₹1,200 | ₹1,000 | ₹800 |
| Under 10 Boys | ₹1,200 | ₹1,000 | ₹800 |
| Under 10 Girls | ₹1,200 | ₹1,000 | ₹800 |
| Under 8 Boys | ₹1,200 | ₹1,000 | ₹800 |
| Under 8 Girls | ₹1,200 | ₹1,000 | ₹800 |
School Trophy for maximum entries — awarded to the top three schools.
Note: To qualify for U8, U10, U12, and U14 prizes, players must produce a copy of their date of birth certificate.
Entry Fee & Registration
| Player Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| IMs, WIMs, FMs, WFMs | Free |
| All other players | ₹750 |
Last date for registration: 28 July 2026. Spot entries are NOT allowed.
Mandatory Player Registrations
| Registration | Fee (2026–27) | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| AICF Player Registration | ₹300 | All players (compulsory) |
| TNSCA Player Registration | ₹150 | All Tamil Nadu players (compulsory) |
| CGDCA Player Registration | ₹75 | Chengalpattu District players (compulsory) |
All AICF registrations are accepted online only. Renew existing AICF registration at aicf.in/players/; fresh registration at aicf.in/online-player-registration/. For TNSCA, use registration.tamilchess.com. Keep a scanned passport-size photo (JPEG, under 1MB), birth certificate, and a unique valid email ready before registering.
How to Pay the Entry Fee
The fee can be paid by crossed bank draft or cheque in favour of “Modern Senior Secondary School,” payable at Chennai, and sent on or before 28 July 2026 to the school address. Online payment is also accepted through:
easypaychess.com · chessfee.com · signinchess.com · chesscircle.com · bookmyfee.com · chessentry.in
Bank Details:
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Account Name | Modern Senior Secondary School |
| Account No. | 104001000015168 |
| Bank | City Union Bank |
| IFSC Code | CIUB0000104 |
Round Schedule
| Date | Day | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Aug 2026 | Saturday | Reporting 8:00 AM · Inauguration 8:55 AM · Round 1 – 10:00 AM · Round 2 – 2:30 PM |
| 2 Aug 2026 | Sunday | Round 3 – 9:00 AM · Round 4 – 2:30 PM |
| 3 Aug 2026 | Monday | Round 5 – 9:00 AM · Round 6 – 2:30 PM |
| 4 Aug 2026 | Tuesday | Round 7 – 8:30 AM · Round 8 – 1:30 PM · Prize Distribution 5:00 PM · Departure 6:00 PM |
General reporting time is 9:00 AM with the first round on 1 August 2026 at 10:00 AM; departure is 4 August 2026 at 6:00 PM.
Rules & Regulations
- Rules: Played under the latest FIDE rules.
- Rate of Play: 90 minutes each, plus 30 seconds increment per move from move one.
- Default Time: 30 minutes.
- Tie-break: Latest AICF tie-break rules apply. In case of a tie, prize money will not be shared.
- Wrist Watches: As per AICF regulations, wrist watches are not allowed inside the playing hall in FIDE-rated events.
- Protests: Must be made in writing with a ₹1,000 protest fee within 15 minutes of the incident to the Appeals Committee. The fee is refunded if the appeal is upheld.
- Appeals Committee: A five-member committee is formed at the players’ meeting; its decision is final and binding.
- Withdrawals: A player may withdraw at any stage after informing the Chief Arbiter in writing.
Venue Details
Modern Senior Secondary School
Modern School Road, A.G.’s Office Colony, Nanganallur, Chennai – 600 061, Tamil Nadu.
Tel: 044-22241854 · Email: modernnglr2019@gmail.com
The venue is located in Nanganallur, a well-connected residential suburb in south Chennai, easily reachable by road and public transport.
Contact Details
| Name | Role | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Smt. S. Ellammal | Physical Training Teacher | 7010313858 |
| Mr. H. Santhanam | Joint Secretary, Chenglepet Dist. Chess Assn. | 9840583157 |
| Mrs. R. Yamuna | Org. Secretary, Mount Chess Academy | 9043690467 |
Organising President: Sri S. Pattabiraman
If you are looking for the best chess tournaments in Tamil Nadu for school students in 2026, the Modern School International Rating Chess Tournament should top your list. Few chess tournaments in Chennai combine this scale of prize money, age-category prizes, and FIDE rating credibility in a single school-level event. Register before 28 July 2026 to secure your place in one of the most respected FIDE chess tournaments in Chennai, and give your young player the competitive stage they deserve.
Why Participate?
- Strong prize fund for a school event — ₹1.5 Lakhs total, ₹25,000 + trophy for the winner, and prizes down to 25th place.
- Eight age-category prizes — separate boys’ and girls’ awards across U8, U10, U12, and U14.
- Official FIDE rating games — every round counts toward your FIDE rating.
- Classical time control (90+30) — proper long-format chess to develop your game.
- A proud chess legacy — the school that produced GM K. Sasikiran.
- School trophies for the top three schools by participation, encouraging team entries.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the tournament held?
1–4 August 2026 at Modern Senior Secondary School, Nanganallur, Chennai – 600 061.
Who can participate?
School students only. FIDE-rated and unrated school players are welcome, with separate age-category prizes.
What is the total prize fund?
₹1.5 Lakhs, with a first prize of ₹25,000 plus a trophy.
What is the entry fee?
₹750 for all players; free for IMs, WIMs, FMs, and WFMs.
What is the last date to register?
28 July 2026. Spot entries are not allowed.
What is the time control?
90 minutes per player plus a 30-second increment from move one, over 8 rounds.
Which registrations are mandatory?
AICF (₹300) for all, TNSCA (₹150) for Tamil Nadu players, and CGDCA (₹75) for Chengalpattu District players.
Registration details not available. Please contact the organizer.
📞 Smt. S. Ellammal Physical Training Teacher 7010313858 Mr. H. Santhanam Joint Secretary, Chenglepet Dist. Chess Assn. 9840583157 Mrs. R. Yamuna Org. Secretary, Mount Chess Academy 9043690467
Modern Senior Secondary School, Nanganallur, Chennai – 600 061