Karur is all set to become a global hub for chess excellence with the 1st International Open FIDE Rating Chess Tournament – 2026, a prestigious five-day event bringing together talented players from across India and abroad. Organized under the aegis of leading national and state chess bodies, this tournament promises high-level competition, significant prize money, and an inclusive platform for players of all abilities.
♟️ Tournament Highlights
- Tournament Name: 1st International Open FIDE Rating Chess Tournament – 2026
- Dates: 11th February 2026 to 15th February 2026 (5 Days)
- Venue: M. Kumarasamy College of Engineering, Thalavapalayam, Karur, Tamil Nadu
- Format: FIDE Rated – International Open
🏫 Organizer
This landmark tournament is proudly organized with the support and recognition of:
Karur District Chess Association for Persons with Disabilities (KDCAPD)
Chess Federation for Physically Disabled (CFPD), India
(Under the aegis of All India Chess Federation – AICF)
Tamil Nadu State Chess Association (TNSCA)
📍 Venue
The tournament will be hosted at the well-equipped M. Kumarasamy College of Engineering, located in Thalavapalayam, Karur. The venue offers a calm and competitive environment, ideal for high-stakes classical chess, along with modern facilities for players, arbiters, and spectators.
💰 Entry Details
- 15th January 2026 *600/- (Rupees Six Hundred Only)
- 16th to 31st January 2026- 1100/- Rupees One Thousand and Hundred Only)
- Free Entry For: IM, GM, WIM, WGM
Category : Open
This FIDE-rated tournament offers an excellent platform for players to test their skills, gain rating points, and experience top-level rapid play under professional conditions
💰 Prizes :-
Prize Fund – ₹10,00,000 (Ten Lakhs Only)
The tournament boasts an impressive total cash prize of ₹10,00,000, making it one of the most attractive open chess events in the region.
Prizes
| Prizes | Open (Cash Prizes + Trophy) Trophy for all prizes |
| 1st | ₹ 50,000 |
| 2nd | ₹ 30,000 |
| 3rd | ₹ 20,000 |
| 4th | ₹ 15,000 |
| 5th | ₹ 13,000 |
| 6th | ₹ 10,000 |
| 7th | ₹ 10,000 |
| 8th | ₹ 8,500 |
| 9th | ₹ 8,500 |
| 10th | ₹ 8,500 |
| 11th | ₹ 7,500 |
| 12th | ₹ 7,500 |
| 13th | ₹ 7,500 |
| 14th-15th (Each) | ₹ 7,500 (Each) |
| 16th -20th (Each) | ₹ 6,500 (Each) |
| 21th – 25th (each) | ₹ 5,000 (Each) |
| 26th – 30th (each) | ₹ 4,000 (Each) |
| 31th – 35th (each) | ₹ 3,500 (Each) |
| 35th – 40th (each) | ₹ 3,000 (Each) |
| 41th – 45th (each) | ₹ 2,500 (Each) |
| 46th – 50th (each) | ₹ 2,000 (Each) |
CATEGORY PRIZES :-
U7,U9,U11,U13,U15 BOYS & GIRLS EACH 10 PRIZES (Trophy)
FIDE Rating Categories Prizes:-
1400-1500 – (5), 1501- 1600 (5), 1601 – 1700 (5), 1701 – 1800(5), 1801 – 1900(5), 1901 – 2000(5), 2001 – 2100(5)
Unrated Category Prizes :- Top 30 Prizes.
Last Date for Registraiton :-.
Entry Fee: Till 31st January 2026
Transportation
“Transportation willbe available for both pickup and drop-off from the college. The drop-off will be at Karur(old bus stand)
Aristo Roundana only. Regular buses to Velur, Namakkal, or Salem will stop at the venue, following Town Bus Routes 1, 10, and 12,.”
Accomodation : (Nearest Lodges)
Budget Lodges
Arasee Lodge – 04324-262663, 263663, +91 9842910022
Alankar Hotels: 9597966994,
Hotel Perrys : 04324-241656, 240764
Brindavan Lodge : 9842115956, 9790672067
Medium Lodges
Aarthi hotels: 04324 236122.7373030031.7373030122.
Star Hotels :+91 9790108765, +91 8438031688.
Ram Residency: 9976844000, 9942699522, 9942699122
PLA Amrith Inn : 8220708079
Hotel SP Residency: +91 7812847758 Hotel SP Grand:+91 7812810148.
Luxury hotels
NTS Breeze palace : +91 9361183268,
Medium Lodges Aarthi hotels: 04324 236122,
Star Hotels :+91 9790108765, +91 8438031688.
PLA Amrith Inn: 8220708079 Hotel SP Residency: +91 7812847758
Sri Murugan Residency: +91 9514971000.
7373030031, 7373030122. Hotel valluvar: 04324 234411.234433.9444320130.
Ram Residency: 9976844000, 9942699522, 9942699122
Hotel SP Grand:+91 7812810148.
The Royal Grand: +91 7271898999.04324 233999.239899
The Residency: 04324 240099.+91 9047778250, 8925528250.
Hotel Hemala: 09943056722.04324 262922. KRV. Meridian: 09629747999.04324 225566.
Tournament Schedule :-
| Particulars | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Inaguration | 11-02-2026 I Wednesday | 10.00 AM |
| Round 1 | 11-02-2026 I Wednesday | 10.30 AM |
| Round 2 | 11-02-2026 I Wednesday | 03.30 PM |
| Round 3 | 12-02-2026 I Thursday | 09.30 AM |
| Round 4 | 12-02-2026 I Thursday | 03.00 PM |
| Round 5 | 13-02-2026 I Friday | 09.30 AM |
| Round 6 | 13-02-2026 I Friday | 03.00 PM |
| Round 7 | 14-02-2026 I Saturday | 09.30 AM |
| Round 8 | 14-02-2026 I Saturday | 01.30 PM |
| 15-02-2026 I Sunday | 08.30 AM | |
| Prize Distribution | 05.30 PM |
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