Ahmednagar District Chess Circle

♟️ About Ahmednagar District Chess Circle

Ahmednagar District Chess Circle (ADCC) is a district-level chess organization based in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, India. Following the city’s renaming from Ahmednagar to Ahilyanagar, some current 2026 tournament materials use the name Ahilyanagar District Chess Circle, while the established organization continues to appear as Ahmednagar District Chess Circle in major chess records. The organization has been active in rated chess for many years and is particularly known for staging large FIDE-rated classical tournaments. Its events attract competitors from Maharashtra and other Indian states and are conducted within the structures of the Maharashtra Chess Association and All India Chess Federation. The recurring Shantikumarji Firodia and Motilalji Firodia tournaments are among its best-known projects. Narendra Firodia is the current President of Ahmednagar District Chess Circle. Yashwant Bapat is the organization’s principal operational chess contact and regularly serves as Chief Organizer, Tournament Director, seminar coordinator, and arbiter. Current tournament documentation consistently directs general player enquiries to Bapat, making him the most appropriate Contact Person for MyChess.Events.

🏆 FIDE-Rated Tournament Activity

ADCC has a long record of organizing rated tournaments in Ahilyanagar. The Shantikumarji Firodia Memorial is one of its established tournament series. Documented editions date back to at least 2011, while the event continues as a major part of the organization’s calendar. The circle also organizes the Motilalji Firodia Classical FIDE Rating Chess Tournament. The 2024 edition attracted 349 players, with IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni scoring a perfect 9/9 to win the tournament. In May 2026, ADCC again staged the competition in Ahilyanagar. Another current series is the Narendraji Firodia Chashak, aimed at rating-restricted players. The third edition took place from July 17–19, 2026 and offered a ₹500,000 prize fund. Yashwant Bapat served as the main organizer contact.

🌟 Shantikumarji Firodia Memorial 2026

The All India Open Shantikumarji Firodia Memorial Classical FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2026 takes place from November 11–15, 2026 at Laxmi Narayan Mangal Karyalay in Ahilyanagar. The tournament consists of nine FIDE-rated classical rounds played at 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. The announced prize fund is ₹500,000, with prizes covering the overall standings as well as juniors, women, veterans, unrated players, and local competitors. The event is organized by Ahmednagar District Chess Circle with support from the Shantikumarji Firodia Memorial Foundation.

🎓 Arbiter Development and District Chess

ADCC also contributes to chess administration and the development of tournament officials. In July 2025, the organization hosted a Senior National Arbiter Seminar and Examination in Ahilyanagar on behalf of the Maharashtra Chess Association, AICF, and the AICF Arbiters’ Commission. Participants attended from seven Indian states. The same official AICF report identifies Narendra Firodia as President, Yashwant Bapat as Seminar Coordinator, and Subodh Thombare as Treasurer. The circle also supports district and junior chess through age-group events and local-player categories at its larger tournaments, helping players from Ahilyanagar progress toward state and national competition.

🏛️ Organization and Leadership

Narendra Firodia is the current President of Ahmednagar District Chess Circle. His leadership is confirmed by the All India Chess Federation and by his own current public profile. Yashwant Bapat remains the organization’s main tournament contact. Chess-Results identifies him as Tournament Director at ADCC events, while current tournament documentation lists him as Chief Organizer and the primary contact for general enquiries.