♟️ Organization Identity

Rai Sahab Council for Sports and Education is a non-profit organization based in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was established in 2024 and operates as a registered entity under the Companies Act. The council combines sport and education in one structure, with a clear focus on access, inclusion, and long-term player development. Its work is not limited to one tournament or one age group. Instead, it presents itself as a broader platform for chess, learning, mentoring, and youth engagement. The organization’s public leadership is closely tied to Dhaval Sachdeva and Pulkit Sachdeva, who are named as part of the founding team. For chess players, this gives the organizer a clear identity from the start. It is a new institution, but it already works with a larger social and educational frame than a standard local club.

🏆 Tournament Activity

Tournament organization is already one of the council’s strongest public roles. It organizes the Shri Dhanpat Rai Sachdeva Memorial Chess Festival, a major FIDE-rated classical event that ran in New Delhi in 2025 and returned in 2026. The 2025 edition included Open and Below 1800 international sections with a total prize fund of ₹26,00,000. The 2026 prospectus shows the event expanding to a total prize fund of ₹27,22,000. Beyond that flagship festival, the council also presents itself as an organizer of district and interschool championships. Its event framework follows FIDE and AICF regulations, uses certified international arbiters, and includes participation routes across age groups and disability categories. That matters for players. It shows an organizer that is building a serious competitive calendar rather than relying on a single promotional event.

🌱 Education and Outreach

The council also places strong emphasis on education and outreach through chess. Its Chess in Schools Program launched in October 2024 and is designed as a free service for school students. The program aims to bring structured chess training into educational settings while removing economic barriers for children. The council reports more than 5,000 trained players and more than 300 participating schools through this initiative. It also links chess with wider social development goals such as discipline, focus, decision-making, and emotional resilience. In addition, the council highlights inclusive work around chess for visually impaired players and names broader outreach tracks for persons with disabilities, autistic children, prison settings, and older adults. For families and younger players, that gives the organizer a distinct profile. This is not only a tournament brand. It is also a chess-led education project with a wider public mission.