Sooriya Chess Academy

♟️ About Sooriya Chess Academy

Sooriya Chess Academy is a chess academy and tournament organizer based in Mambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is affiliated with the Chengalpattu District Chess Association and organizes children’s competitions, open tournaments, and FIDE-rated events within the Tamil Nadu chess structure. The academy is led by SNA J. G. Nivedhitha, its President and principal tournament contact. She is an experienced competitive player and a qualified Senior National Arbiter. J. G. Thejesvi serves as Secretary and is also involved in the academy’s tournament operations. Both are consistently listed as current contacts in 2026 event documentation. Sooriya Chess Academy has expanded quickly from state-level children’s events into international FIDE-rated tournaments. Its program provides opportunities for young and developing players while also attracting experienced rated competitors and titled players. The academy uses different educational venues around Chennai and Chengalpattu depending on the size and format of each competition.

🌱 Youth Chess and Development

Youth chess is an important part of Sooriya Chess Academy’s activities. Its tournament program includes dedicated categories for young players, with earlier events offering separate competitions and prizes for age groups such as U8, U10, U12, and U15. The academy also provides technical support for school and state-level competitions. In February 2026, for example, it supported a Tamil Nadu State Level Children’s & Open tournament in Kelambakkam, with J. G. Nivedhitha listed as President and J. G. Thejesvi as Secretary.

🏆 International FIDE-Rated Tournaments

The academy organized its 1st International FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament from June 3–7, 2026 at Prof. Dhanapalan College of Science and Management in Kelambakkam. The nine-round classical tournament used a 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move time control and attracted 150 players, including International Masters and competitors from several federations. J. G. Nivedhitha served as Tournament Director. Its next major event is the 1st International FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament for Players Below 1800, scheduled for August 28–30, 2026 at Nellai Nadar College of Engineering and Technology in Chengalpattu. The event continues the academy’s focus on providing FIDE-rated classical competition for developing players. Sooriya Chess Academy is also expanding into FIDE-rated rapid chess. Its 1st International FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament is scheduled for October 25, 2026 at Sir Theagaraya College in Chennai. The nine-round tournament uses a 10+5 time control, with J. G. Nivedhitha again serving as Tournament Director.

🏛️ Organization and Leadership

J. G. Nivedhitha is the current President and principal public contact of Sooriya Chess Academy. She combines tournament organization with competitive chess and arbiting experience. The All India Chess Federation records her as a Senior National Arbiter, while FIDE’s Arbiters’ Commission confirms that she successfully completed the 2025 FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar examination and earned a FIDE Arbiter norm. J. G. Thejesvi serves as Secretary and provides the academy’s second principal telephone contact.