Are You 2250+? Test Your Mettle at the 1st Chola Chess Open Grandmasters Tournament 2026

by Devansh Singh - 26/09/2026

Chola Chess, an initiative of the Chola Foundation, in partnership with Chess Gurukul, announces the First Chola Chess Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2026. The tournament is strictly for players rated above 2250! The tournament is scheduled from 30th October to 7th November 2026. After 3 successful round-robin events, Chola Chess is back with an Open event, which gives opportunity for players to score IM, WIM, GM, and WGM norms on Indian soil.

Field Size, Requirements & Conditions

Total Participants: Strictly capped at 80 players.
Foreign Players Requirement: 25 foreign players are required, out of whom at least 15 must be Grandmasters (GMs) and 10 International Masters.
Grandmasters Invitation: Grandmasters rated above 2250 are invited to participate.
Special Conditions for Women Players: We offer conditions to women players holding a WIM title or above, with an official FIDE rating of 2250 or higher as of 1st October 2026.
Hospitality & Conditions Inquiries: Complimentary accommodation in a 5-star hotel along with food will be provided for invited players. For detailed conditions and invitation letters, please write to info@cholachess.com.

Join and make this event a huge success

Tournament Overview & Key Dates

Event Dates: 30th October – 7th November 2026
Venue: Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Cathedral Road, Chennai – 600 086
Total Prize Fund: ₹50,00,000 (Fifty Lakhs INR)
First Prize: ₹10,00,000
Eligibility: Players with an official FIDE Rating of 2250 or above as on the 1st October 2026 FIDE rating list.

Prize Fund

Venue: Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Cathedral Road

Schedule

Date	Event / Round	Time
30th October 2026	Inauguration Ceremony	1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
30th October 2026	Round 1	2:00 PM
31st October 2026	Round 2	2:00 PM
1st November 2026	Round 3	2:00 PM
2nd November 2026	Round 4	2:00 PM
3rd November 2026	Round 5	2:00 PM
4th November 2026	Round 6	2:00 PM
5th November 2026	Round 7	2:00 PM
6th November 2026	Round 8	2:00 PM
7th November 2026	Round 9	10:00 AM
7th November 2026	Closing & Prize Distribution Ceremony	5:00 PM

Registration, Entry Fees & Contact Details

Entry Fee: ₹10,000
Free Entry: Grandmasters (GMs) and Woman Grandmasters (WGMs).
AICF / TNSCA Registration: All Indian players must possess active AICF registration for 2026–2027. Tamil Nadu players must also hold active TNSCA registration for 2026–2027.
Registration Deadline: Applications must be submitted via email by 5th October 2026.
How to Register: Send player profile and entry details to info@cholachess.com.
Foreign Titled Players & Women Players Inquiries: Players requesting conditions, invitation letters, or hotel bookings should write to info@cholachess.com or call +91 89259 84477.

Impact on Indian Chess

Chola Chess was launched in July 2025 with a clear vision to nurture young talent in India. Even before its launch, the initiative had already begun conducting training camps from January 2025. Since then, it has conducted 100 camps and trained over 1300 players. It provides a space for promising players to train under experienced coaches. On 1st April, they conducted their 100th camp, marking an important milestone in their journey. Read the article to know how Chola Chess is making a difference.