Sooriya Chess Academy 1st International FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament 2026

Sooriya Chess Academy is organizing its 1st International FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament 2026 on 25 October 2026 at Sir Theagaraya College, Chennai. The tournament carries a total advertised cash prize pool of ₹3,00,000, along with 135 trophies, making it a major rapid chess event for rated players, unrated players, women, veterans and junior chess enthusiasts.

The event is listed with AICF Event Code 489378/TN(R)/2026 and TNSCA Approval No. RFR-12/CHE/26-27.

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🏆 Sooriya Chess Academy Chess Tournament 2026 – Highlights

Tournament Detail	Information
Tournament Name	Sooriya Chess Academy 1st International FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
Date	25 October 2026
Venue	Sir Theagaraya College, Chennai
Address	1047, 345, Th Road, Old Washermenpet, Chennai – 600021
Event Type	International FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
AICF Event Code	489378/TN(R)/2026
TNSCA Approval	RFR-12/CHE/26-27
Total Cash Prize	₹3,00,000
Total Trophies	135
Main Cash Prizes	30 positions
Entry Fee	₹1,500
Early Bird Fee	₹1,350
Early Bird Deadline	30 September 2026
Final Entry Deadline	21 October 2026 at 11:00 PM
Rounds	9
Format	Swiss System
Time Control	10 minutes + 5 seconds increment
Chief Arbiter	IA Arun Seshadhri S R
Canteen	Available
Car & Bike Parking	Available

The tournament brochure advertises ₹3 lakh in cash prizes and 135 trophies.

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💰 Main Prize Money

The tournament provides cash prizes for the top 30 positions.

Position	Prize Money
🥇 1st	₹20,000 + Trophy
🥈 2nd	₹15,000 + Trophy
🥉 3rd	₹10,000 + Trophy
4th	₹9,000
5th	₹8,000
6th	₹7,000
7th	₹6,000
8th	₹5,000
9th	₹4,000
10th	₹3,000
11th–15th	₹3,000 each
16th–20th	₹2,500 each
21st–30th	₹2,000 each

Note: The brochure uses “20,000+”, “15,000+” and similar notation for some top prizes; the table above reflects the displayed base amounts.

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📊 Rating Category Prizes

Players can also compete for separate prizes according to their rating category.

Prize Position	1400–1499	1500–1599	1600–1699	1700–1799	Best Unrated
🥇 1st	₹8,000 + Trophy	₹8,000 + Trophy	₹8,000 + Trophy	₹8,000 + Trophy	₹8,000 + Trophy
🥈 2nd	₹5,000 + Trophy	₹5,000 + Trophy	₹5,000 + Trophy	₹5,000 + Trophy	₹5,000 + Trophy
🥉 3rd	₹4,000 + Trophy	₹4,000 + Trophy	₹4,000 + Trophy	₹4,000 + Trophy	₹4,000 + Trophy
4th	₹3,000	₹3,000	₹3,000	₹3,000	₹3,000
5th	₹2,000	₹2,000	₹2,000	₹2,000	₹2,000
6th–10th	₹1,500 each	₹1,500 each	₹1,500 each	₹1,500 each	₹1,500 each

Rating Categories

• 1400–1499
• 1500–1599
• 1600–1699
• 1700–1799
• Best Unrated

This gives players additional opportunities to win prizes apart from the overall standings.

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👩 Special Category Prizes

The tournament also features separate special-category recognition.

Special Category	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
Best Woman – 16+	₹2,500 + Trophy	₹2,000 + Trophy	₹1,500 + Trophy	Trophy	Trophy
Best Veteran – 55+	₹2,500 + Trophy	₹2,000 + Trophy	₹1,500 + Trophy	Trophy	Trophy
Specially Challenged – 40%+	₹2,500 + Trophy	₹2,000 + Trophy	₹1,500 + Trophy	Trophy	Trophy

Youngest Players

The tournament brochure also provides special trophy recognition for the:

• 🏆 Youngest Boy
• 🏆 Youngest Girl

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🧒 Junior Age Category Prizes

One of the major attractions of the tournament is its extensive junior trophy structure.

The age-category prizes are provided separately for Boys and Girls.

Age Category	Boys	Girls
Under-7	1st–10th Trophy	1st–10th Trophy
Under-9	1st–10th Trophy	1st–10th Trophy
Under-11	1st–10th Trophy	1st–10th Trophy
Under-13	1st–10th Trophy	1st–10th Trophy
Under-15	1st–10th Trophy	1st–10th Trophy

That means the brochure provides 10 trophies each for boys and girls in each of the five age categories.

📅 Age Eligibility

Category	Date of Birth Requirement
Under-7	Born on or after 01-01-2019
Under-9	Born on or after 01-01-2017
Under-11	Born on or after 01-01-2015
Under-13	Born on or after 01-01-2013
Under-15	Born on or after 01-01-2011

Parents should verify the player’s eligibility against the birth-date requirements before registration.

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♟️ Tournament Schedule – 25 October 2026

The tournament consists of nine rounds.

Round	Date	Time
Inauguration	25-10-2026	8:30 AM
Players Meeting	25-10-2026	9:00 AM
Round 1	25-10-2026	9:30 AM
Round 2	25-10-2026	10:30 AM
Round 3	25-10-2026	11:30 AM
Round 4	25-10-2026	12:30 PM
Round 5	25-10-2026	1:30 PM
Round 6	25-10-2026	2:30 PM
Round 7	25-10-2026	3:30 PM
Round 8	25-10-2026	4:30 PM
Round 9	25-10-2026	5:30 PM
Prize Distribution	25-10-2026	6:30 PM

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⏱️ Tournament Format and Rules

Swiss System

The tournament will follow the Swiss System with a total of nine rounds.

Time Control

Each player receives:

10 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move from move number 1.

Default Time

The default time is 10 minutes from the start of the game.

Players arriving after the default time can lose the game according to the tournament regulations.

Tie-Break

A Buchholz tie-break system will be used.

According to the brochure, prizes will not be shared in case of a tie.

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🪪 AICF Player Registration

AICF registration is compulsory for Indian players participating in the tournament.

The brochure states:

AICF Player Registration Fee: ₹300 for 2026–2027

Players and arbiters are required to complete their registration before the tournament.

For fresh AICF registration, players should keep the required documents ready, including:

• Passport-size photograph
• Birth certificate
• Valid unique email address

The tournament announcement also specifies that the photograph should meet the stated size and format requirements.

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🏛️ TNSCA Registration

TNSCA registration is compulsory for Tamil Nadu players.

TNSCA Fee

₹150 for 2026–2027

Players should complete their TNSCA registration before participating in the tournament.

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📍 Chennai District Registration

For Chennai district players, the brochure states:

CDCA Registration Fee: ₹75 for 2026–2027

This registration is applicable to Chennai district players.

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💳 Entry Fee

Regular Entry

₹1,500

Early Bird Entry

₹1,350

The early-bird offer is available until 30 September 2026.

Therefore, players planning to participate can complete their registration before the early-bird deadline to avail the reduced entry fee.

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📅 Last Date for Registration

The tournament entry deadline is:

21 October 2026 – 11:00 PM

Players are advised to complete registration and payment before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.

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🌐 Online Registration Platforms

The event poster lists the following online registration platforms:

• EasyPayChess
• ChessEntry
• Chessfee
• BookMyFee
• SignInChess
• CircleChess

Participants should use the registration platform specified by the organizers and provide the correct player information.

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📍 Tournament Venue

Sir Theagaraya College

1047, 345, Th Road
Old Washermenpet
Chennai – 600021
Tamil Nadu

The venue is located in Chennai and provides:

• 🚗 Car parking*
• 🏍️ Bike parking*
• 🍴 Canteen facility*

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👨‍⚖️ Chief Arbiter

The tournament’s Chief Arbiter is:

IA Arun Seshadhri S R

The event will be conducted according to the applicable FIDE rapid chess regulations and the tournament’s published rules.

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⌚ Watches and Electronic Devices

According to the tournament regulations, wrist watches and electronic devices are restricted inside the playing hall for the FIDE-rated event.

Players are advised not to wear any type of wristwatch while playing.

Electronic devices should also not be taken into the playing area in violation of the tournament regulations.

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🏆 Prize Collection

Prize winners must collect their prizes at the venue during the prize distribution function.

The brochure states that:

• Prizes will be distributed at the venue.
• A substitute or third person will not be permitted to collect a prize.
• The concerned prize winner must personally receive the prize.

Prize Distribution

25 October 2026 – 6:30 PM

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📝 Withdrawals

Players who wish to withdraw from the tournament may do so by informing the Chief Arbiter in writing.

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⚠️ Protest and Appeals

The tournament regulations provide a process for protests.

A protest against a Chief Arbiter decision must be submitted in writing, along with the stated ₹1,000 protest fee, within 15 minutes of the occurrence of the incident.

The brochure also specifies an Appeals Committee formed from senior participants present at the players meeting, with decisions stated to be final and binding on the players concerned.

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📞 Contact Details

For registration and tournament enquiries, participants can contact the Sooriya Chess Academy organizers.

👩 Mrs. J.G. Nivedhitha, SNA

President, Sooriya Chess Academy

📞 +91 88079 47108

👩 Mrs. J.G. Thejesvi

Secretary, Sooriya Chess Academy

📞 +91 88704 43779

📧 Email

sooriyachessacademy@gmail.com

📱 Instagram

@sooriyachessacademy

🏠 Sooriya Chess Academy Address

I-134, SBIOA Unity Enclave,
Mambakkam,
Chennai – 600127

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🏢 Advisory Committee

The brochure lists the following members in the advisory committee:

Name	Position
Mr. Srinivasan R	President, Chennai District Chess Association
Mr. Chiranjeevi Matcha, B.Sc., C.A (Inter.), MBA	Secretary & Correspondent, Sir Theagaraya School, Chennai
Mr. Hemanth Kumar Pitti, M.S	Secretary, Sir Theagaraya School, Chennai
Mr. Velayudham M A	Secretary, Chennai District Chess Association
Dr. D. Rajasekhar, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.	President, Sir Theagaraya College, Chennai
Dr. A. Rajendran	Principal, Sir Theagaraya College, Chennai

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⭐ Why This Tournament Is Important for Chess Players

The Sooriya Chess Academy event combines several prize structures in one FIDE-rated rapid tournament.

Players can compete for:

• 🏆 Overall championship prizes
• 💰 Top 30 main prizes
• 📊 Rating-category prizes
• 🧒 Under-7 prizes
• 🧒 Under-9 prizes
• 🧒 Under-11 prizes
• 🧒 Under-13 prizes
• 🧒 Under-15 prizes
• 👧 Separate girls’ age-category trophies
• 👩 Best Woman 16+ prize
• 👴 Best Veteran 55+ prize
• ♿ Specially Challenged 40%+ prizes
• 👦 Youngest Boy trophy
• 👧 Youngest Girl trophy

With 135 trophies, the event offers substantial recognition across multiple player categories.

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📢 Registration Summary

Information	Details
Event	Sooriya Chess Academy 1st International FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
Date	25 October 2026
Location	Sir Theagaraya College, Chennai
Entry Fee	₹1,500
Early Bird	₹1,350
Early Bird Valid Until	30 September 2026
Last Date	21 October 2026, 11:00 PM
Prize Money	₹3,00,000
Trophies	135
Rounds	9
Time Control	10 minutes + 5 seconds
Chief Arbiter	IA Arun Seshadhri S R
Contact	+91 88079 47108 / +91 88704 43779
Email	sooriyachessacademy@gmail.com