QQChess International Open Below 1800 FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2026

The QQChess International Open Below 1800 FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2026 runs from 27 to 29 November 2026 at the Govt. College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Quepem, Goa – 403706, with a total prize fund of ₹6,00,000. It is held under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and the Goa Chess Association, and organised by the Quepem Taluka Chess Association and Queens Chess and Cultural Club.

Nine rounds of Swiss play and prize categories for rating groups, unrated players, veterans, women, Goan players, PWD players and boys and girls in four age groups make it one of the most rewarding below-1800 events on the 2026 Indian chess calendar.

Detail	Information
AICF Event Code	487790/GA/2026
Dates	27–29 November 2026
Reporting Time	27 November 2026, 8:45 AM, followed by Players’ Meeting
Venue	Govt. College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Quepem, Goa – 403706
Organisers	Quepem Taluka Chess Association & Queens Chess and Cultural Club
Under the Aegis of	All India Chess Federation & Goa Chess Association
Rating Limit	Below 1800 FIDE; unrated players eligible
Format	Swiss League, 9 rounds, latest FIDE Laws of Chess
Time Control	30 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1
Total Prize Fund	₹6,00,000
Entry Fee	Non-Goan ₹3,000 · Goan ₹2,500 · GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs free
Default Time	15 minutes
Chief Arbiter	FA Tanishq Kavlekar – 9373843024
Registration	qqchess.org

Eligibility

• Any rated player whose FIDE rating has not crossed 1799 in the last 36 months before the tournament.
• Unrated players are eligible.
• Players who finished 1st or 2nd in any rating-restricted FIDE tournament cannot play rating-restricted events for one year from that result.
• An active AICF registration for 2026–27, paid online before the event, is mandatory. Renew at prs.aicf.in; new players register at prs.aicf.in/new-register.

Entry Fees & Important Dates

Player Type	Entry Fee
Non-Goan Players	₹3,000
Goan Players	₹2,500
GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs	Free

Deadline	Details
Till 15 September 2026	Early Bird – ₹200 off entry fee (closed)
15 November 2026	Last date to book accommodation & meal packages
16–20 November 2026	Late fee of ₹500 applies

Entry is first-come, first-served and may close without notice. Fees are non-refundable, no waivers are entertained, and the organiser may accept or reject any entry.

Accommodation & Meal Packages

Package	For	Inclusions	Total
Package 1	Non-Goan Players	Entry ₹3,000 + 3 meals × 3 days ₹1,500 + accommodation 3 days ₹1,500	₹6,000
Package 2a	Non-Goan Players	Entry ₹3,000 + breakfast, lunch, dinner × 3 days (₹1,500)	₹4,500
Package 2b	Non-Goan Players	Entry ₹3,000 + breakfast & lunch × 3 days (₹900)	₹3,900
Package 2c	Non-Goan Players	Entry ₹3,000 + lunch × 3 days (₹600)	₹3,600
Package 3	North Goa Players	Entry ₹2,500 + 3 meals × 3 days ₹1,500 + accommodation 3 days ₹1,500	₹5,500
Package 4a	Goan Players	Entry ₹2,500 + breakfast, lunch, dinner × 3 days (₹1,500)	₹4,000
Package 4b	Goan Players	Entry ₹2,500 + breakfast & lunch × 3 days (₹900)	₹3,400
Package 4c	Goan Players	Entry ₹2,500 + lunch × 3 days (₹600)	₹3,100

• Without a package, only the entry fee applies.
• Rooms are double-sharing, non-AC, first-come first-served; maximum one accompanying person per player (₹1,500).
• Two players with one parent or guardian can share a single room at no extra charge for the second player.
• All meals are vegetarian and can be pre-booked during registration.

Tournament Schedule

Nine rounds over three days: three on 27 Nov, three on 28 Nov and three on 29 Nov, with prize distribution at 6:00 PM on the final day.

Date	Event	Time
Fri, 27 Nov 2026	Reporting	08:45 AM
Fri, 27 Nov 2026	Breakfast	09:00 – 09:30 AM
Fri, 27 Nov 2026	Inauguration	09:30 AM
Fri, 27 Nov 2026	Players’ Meeting	10:30 AM
Fri, 27 Nov 2026	Round 1	10:45 AM
Fri, 27 Nov 2026	Lunch	01:00 – 02:00 PM
Fri, 27 Nov 2026	Round 2	02:30 PM
Fri, 27 Nov 2026	Round 3 (dinner: takeaway)	05:15 PM
Sat, 28 Nov 2026	Breakfast	09:00 – 10:00 AM
Sat, 28 Nov 2026	Round 4	10:30 AM
Sat, 28 Nov 2026	Lunch	01:00 – 02:00 PM
Sat, 28 Nov 2026	Round 5	02:30 PM
Sat, 28 Nov 2026	Round 6 (dinner: takeaway)	05:15 PM
Sun, 29 Nov 2026	Breakfast	08:00 – 09:00 AM
Sun, 29 Nov 2026	Round 7	09:30 AM
Sun, 29 Nov 2026	Round 8	12:15 PM
Sun, 29 Nov 2026	Lunch	After Round 8
Sun, 29 Nov 2026	Round 9	03:00 PM
Sun, 29 Nov 2026	Prize Distribution Function	06:00 – 07:00 PM

Prize Structure – ₹6,00,000

The champion takes ₹55,000 + trophy, and cash prizes run to the top 30 in the main section.

Main Prizes & Rating Category Prizes

Rank	Main Prize	Rating 1400–1550	Rating 1551–1701	Unrated	Veteran 50+
1	₹55,000 + Trophy	₹20,000 + Trophy	₹20,000 + Trophy	₹12,000 + Trophy	₹8,000 + Trophy
2	₹35,000 + Trophy	₹12,000 + Trophy	₹12,000 + Trophy	₹9,500 + Trophy	₹6,000 + Trophy
3	₹18,000 + Trophy	₹7,500 + Trophy	₹7,500 + Trophy	₹7,000 + Trophy	₹4,000 + Trophy
4	₹10,000 + Trophy	₹4,500	₹4,500	₹4,500	Trophy
5	₹9,000 + Trophy	₹3,500	₹3,500	₹3,500	Trophy
6	₹8,000	₹3,500	₹3,500	₹3,500	Trophy
7	₹7,000	₹3,500	₹3,500	₹3,500	Trophy
8	₹6,000	₹3,500	₹3,500	₹3,500	Trophy
9	₹5,000	₹3,500	₹3,500	₹3,500	Trophy
10	₹4,500	₹3,500	₹3,500	₹3,500	Trophy
11–20	₹4,500 each	–	–	–	–
21–30	₹4,000 each	–	–	–	–

Special Category Prizes

Rank	Women (21+)	Goan	PWD	QTCA Player
1	₹8,000 + Trophy	₹5,000	₹5,000	₹3,500
2	₹6,000 + Trophy	₹4,500	₹4,000	₹3,000
3	₹4,000 + Trophy	₹3,500	Trophy	Trophy
4	Trophy	₹3,500	Trophy	Trophy
5	Trophy	₹3,500	Trophy	Trophy
6–10	Trophy	Trophy	–	Trophy

Age Category Prizes – Boys

Rank	Under 17	Under 14	Under 11	Under 8
1	₹4,500 + Trophy	₹4,500 + Trophy	₹4,500 + Trophy	₹4,500 + Trophy
2	₹4,000 + Trophy	₹4,000 + Trophy	₹4,000 + Trophy	₹4,000 + Trophy
3	₹3,500 + Trophy	₹3,500 + Trophy	₹3,500 + Trophy	₹3,500 + Trophy
4–10	Trophy	Trophy	Trophy	Trophy

Age Category Prizes – Girls

Rank	Under 17	Under 14	Under 11	Under 8
1	₹4,500 + Trophy	₹4,500 + Trophy	₹4,500 + Trophy	₹4,500 + Trophy
2	₹4,000 + Trophy	₹4,000 + Trophy	₹4,000 + Trophy	₹4,000 + Trophy
3	₹3,500 + Trophy	₹3,500 + Trophy	₹3,500 + Trophy	₹3,500 + Trophy
4–10	Trophy	Trophy	Trophy	Trophy

Category List & Prize Count

Category	Cash Prizes	Trophy-Only Places	Cash Total
Main Prize (Open)	30	–	₹2,42,500
Rating 1400–1550	10	–	₹65,000
Rating 1551–1701	10	–	₹65,000
Unrated	10	–	₹54,000
Veteran 50+	3	7	₹18,000
Women (21+)	3	7	₹18,000
Best Goan	5	5	₹20,000
PWD	2	3	₹9,000
QTCA Player	2	8	₹6,500
Boys U8 / U11 / U14 / U17	12 (3 each)	28 (7 each)	₹48,000
Girls U8 / U11 / U14 / U17	12 (3 each)	28 (7 each)	₹48,000
Total	99	86	₹5,94,000

Cash itemised in the official prize tables totals ₹5,94,000; the brochure advertises ₹6,00,000 including trophies and mementos.

Awards & Prize Rules

Rule	Details
One Prize Per Player	Each player receives only one prize – the higher one.
No Sharing	Prize money is not shared between tied players.
Age Categories	Players are eligible only for their own age group, not higher ones.
Proof of Age	Organisers may ask for date-of-birth proof; registering means agreeing to provide it.
Income Tax	Indian Income Tax Act and rules apply.
Payment	Winners submit a cancelled cheque in the prescribed format; money is transferred in 7–15 working days.
Consolation Awards	All age category players get a memento or trophy and an e-certificate.

Tie-Break System

Ties are broken under the latest FIDE rules, in this order:

1. Buchholz Cut 1
2. Buchholz
3. Sonneborn-Berger
4. Direct encounter
5. Greatest number of wins, including forfeits
6. Number of wins with Black

Rules & Regulations

Rule	Details
System of Play	Swiss League under the latest FIDE Laws of Chess
Rounds	9
Time Control	30 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1
Default Time	15 minutes
Electronic Devices	Mobiles, wrist watches and all electronic devices are banned from the playing arena.
Withdrawals	Allowed at any stage after informing the Chief Arbiter in writing.
Protest	In writing to the Appeals Committee with a ₹2,000 fee within 15 minutes of the incident; refunded if upheld. A five-member committee is formed at the Players’ Meeting.

Contact List

For registration queries and entry confirmation, call the Help Desk: 9834685044 · 8668872598 · 9823258711.

Role	Name	Phone
Organising Chairman	Mr. Nilesh Cabral	–
Tournament Director	IA Sanjay Kavlekar	9823258711
Organising Secretary	Mr. Sameer Naik	9822129931
Chief Arbiter	FA Tanishq Kavlekar	9373843024
Vice Organising Chairpersons	Dr. Roopa Belurkar, Mrs. Teja Hadkonkar	–
Treasurers	Mrs. Vishalakshi Shetty, Mr. Sushant Vaidya	–
Registration Head	Mrs. Sunetra Dagare	8668872598
Event Coordinator	Dr. Pradnya Kakodkar	9834685044
Accommodation Head	Mrs. Arsha Chopdekar	9423316210

Committee Members: Renuka Hawal, Mr. Amrut Naik, Mr. Avijit Ray, Mrs. Naina Pawse, Mrs. Sarita Naik, Mrs. Anita Naik, Mrs. Sonali Gaonkar.

Venue & How to Reach Quepem

Detail	Information
Venue	Govt. College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Quepem, Goa – 403706
Nearest Airport	Goa International Airport (GOI), Dabolim – Vasco da Gama
Nearest Railway Stations	Curchorem or Madgaon (Margao)

Organisers provide transport to the venue for players staying at these Margao hotels:

Hotel	Phone
Hotel Laxmi Empire	8010215854
Hotel Raj Resort	8668803315
Cosmique Clarks Inn Suites	7823027402

Nearby Places of Attraction

• Chandreshwar Bhootnath Temple – hilltop temple at Paroda with panoramic views
• Tambdi Surla – Kadamba-era basalt Mahadev temple
• Buddha Statue, Gudi Paroda – hilltop statue overlooking South Goa’s countryside
• Shree Damodar Temple, Zambaulim – revered temple on the Kushavati river
• Salaulim Dam – scenic dam known for its duckbill spillway

How to Register

1. Make sure your AICF 2026–27 registration is active at prs.aicf.in.
2. Fill in the form at qqchess.org.
3. Pick an accommodation or meal package if needed, before 15 November 2026.
4. Pay the entry fee online and keep your confirmation.
5. Call the Help Desk to confirm your entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the QQChess International Open Below 1800 2026? It runs 27–29 November 2026 at Govt. College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Quepem, Goa – 403706.

Who is eligible to play? Players whose FIDE rating has not crossed 1799 in the 36 months before the event, plus all unrated players. Players who finished 1st or 2nd in a rating-restricted FIDE event in the past year are not eligible. An active AICF 2026–27 registration is mandatory.

What is the entry fee? ₹3,000 for non-Goan players and ₹2,500 for Goan players. GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs play free. A ₹500 late fee applies from 16 to 20 November 2026.

What is the total prize fund and first prize? The total prize fund is ₹6,00,000. The champion receives ₹55,000 plus a trophy, with cash prizes for the top 30.

What is the time control and number of rounds? Nine Swiss rounds at 30 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one.

What prize categories are available? Main (top 30), rating 1400–1550, rating 1551–1701, unrated, Veteran 50+, Women 21+, Goan, PWD, QTCA players, and Boys and Girls Under 8, 11, 14 and 17.

Is accommodation available? Yes. Paid double-sharing non-AC rooms are available through packages until 15 November 2026. Transport is provided for players staying at Hotel Laxmi Empire, Hotel Raj Resort and Cosmique Clarks Inn Suites in Margao.

How do I reach the venue in Quepem? The nearest airport is Goa International Airport at Dabolim (Vasco da Gama). The nearest railway stations are Curchorem and Madgaon (Margao).

What tourist places are near Quepem? Chandreshwar Bhootnath Temple, Tambdi Surla, the Buddha Statue at Gudi Paroda, Shree Damodar Temple at Zambaulim and Salaulim Dam.

Who should I contact for registration queries? The Help Desk at 9834685044, 8668872598 or 9823258711, or Chief Arbiter FA Tanishq Kavlekar at 9373843024.

When is the prize distribution? 29 November 2026, 6:00–7:00 PM, after Round 9. Prize money is transferred within 7–15 working days.

Register now at qqchess.org — entries are first-come, first-served and may close without notice.