1st Arunachal Pradesh International Chess Festival 2025
Discover world-class chess in one of India’s most scenic destinations!
The 1st Arunachal Pradesh International Chess Festival 2025 will take place in Ziro Valley from 28 November to 8 December 2025, featuring Classical (Category A & B), Rapid, and Blitz tournaments — all FIDE-rated — with a massive ₹35 lakh total prize fund.
Organised by the All Arunachal Pradesh Chess Association (AAPCA) under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation (AICF), the festival welcomes both Indian and foreign players — from Grandmasters to enthusiastic amateurs — to enjoy top-level chess amid the serene beauty of the Eastern Himalayas.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | 28 November – 8 December 2025 |
| 📍 Location | Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India |
| ♟️ Format | Multiple FIDE-rated events: Classical (A & B categories), Rapid, and Blitz |
| 💵 Entry Fee | A Category – ₹7,500 (₹6,500 NE & Andaman Nicobar, ₹5,500 Arunachal, ₹3,999 Ziro locals) • B Category – ₹6,000 (₹5,500 NE & Andaman Nicobar, ₹4,999 Arunachal, ₹3,500 Ziro locals) • Rapid/Blitz – ₹2,000 each • GMs/IMs/WGMs/WIMs Free |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated (all formats) & AICF registered |
| ✅ Eligibility | Open to all players with valid FIDE/AICF ID (including foreign players and unrated participants) |
| 🎯 Prize Fund | ₹35,00,000 (total for all events) |
| 🔧 Additional | Early-bird discounts of ₹1,000 (before 30 Oct) or ₹500 (before 10 Nov); last date 17 Nov 2025 (5 PM) |
🏆 Prize Fund Highlights
| Event | Total Prize (₹) | Top Prize (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Category A (Open to all) | 15,00,000 | 3,00,000 + Trophy |
| Category B (U-1999) | 12,00,000 | 2,00,000 + Trophy |
| Rapid (FIDE-rated) | 4,00,000 | 80,000 + Trophy |
| Blitz (FIDE-rated) | 4,00,000 | 80,000 + Trophy |
Additional special prizes: Best rating groups (2299–below 1400), Veteran (55+), Female, Unrated, Physically Challenged, Local (Ziro/Arunachal/North East/Foreign) — ₹10,000 / ₹8,000 / ₹5,000 each.
Trophies and certificates for Top 3 boys and girls in U8, U10, U12 and U15 categories.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
-
Category A (Classical): 90 min + 30 sec increment (9 rounds)
-
Category B (Classical): 60 min + 30 sec increment (9 rounds)
-
Rapid: 10 min + 10 sec increment (9 rounds, 3 Dec)
-
Blitz: 5 min + 2 sec increment (9 rounds, 4 Dec)
-
Default time 15 minutes; no draws before 30 moves without arbiter approval.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| A Category | Open to all players (FIDE/AICF ID mandatory) |
| B Category | Players rated below 1999 FIDE; unrated allowed (but past winners of restricted events ineligible) |
| Rapid | Open to all FIDE/AICF players |
| Blitz | Open to all FIDE/AICF players |
📅 Schedule Summary
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Nov 28 | 9:00 AM Opening / Players Meeting • 2:00 PM Round 1 | |
| Sat, Nov 29 | 9:00 AM Round 2 • 2:00 PM Round 3 | |
| Sun, Nov 30 | 9:00 AM Round 4 • 2:00 PM Round 5 | |
| Mon, Dec 1 | 9:00 AM Round 6 • 2:00 PM Round 7 | |
| Tue, Dec 2 | 9:00 AM Round 8 • 2:00 PM Round 9 | |
| Wed, Dec 3 | Rapid Tournament (9 Rounds 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM) | |
| Thu, Dec 4 | Blitz Tournament (9 Rounds 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM) • Prize Distribution 1:30 PM | |
| Dec 5–8 | Continuation and Closing Ceremonies |
📝 Registration
-
Online entry: https://forms.gle/8dVPqZNRfmUFJE5r6
-
Payment via GPay/PhonePe/YONO/Bank Transfer to UCO Bank A/C 14820110029022 (AAPCA) IFSC UCBA0001482
-
No spot entries accepted. Foreign players must possess valid FIDE ID.
-
AICF registration ₹300 for 2025–26 mandatory (https://prs.aicf.in/new-register).
👥 Organizer
Organised by All Arunachal Pradesh Chess Association (AAPCA) under the auspices of All India Chess Federation
Key Contacts:
-
Organizing Chairman – Tadam Haging Cherom 📞 8414092188
-
Organizing Secretary – IA Tapi Shah 📞 9774194044 / 9383345174
-
Chief Arbiter – IA Dharmendra Kumar
-
Registration (Indian Players) – IA Th. Biju Singh 📞 8787893272 / 9863239854
-
Foreign Players – IA Anupam Bhattacharjee 📞 7005164814
-
North East Coordinator – FA Pranab Kr Nath 📞 8402020073 📧 pranabchess@gmail.com
-
Email (Official): aapcachess@gmail.com
🏨 Venue & Accommodation
Venue: Ziro Valley Sports Complex, Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh.
-
Free dormitory accommodation for first 50 outside players (Early Bird offer).
-
Free stay for GMs/IMs/WGMs/WIMs.
-
Nearby Hotels:
• Ziro Palace Inn 📞 9383034340 (4 km)
• Hotel Blue Pine 📞 8794214313 (walking distance)
• Hotel Ziro View 📞 9485292429 (walking distance)
• Ziro Valley Resort 📞 9383186791 (4 km)
• Hotel Zimin 📞 7640986150 (3 km)
🚗 How to Get There
-
By Air: Ziro Airport (domestic) and Donyi Polo Airport (Itanagar) are closest; Lilabari and Guwahati also accessible.
-
By Train: Harmuty and Guwahati Railway Stations.
-
By Road: Regular bus services from Guwahati to Naharlagun; Sumo taxis from Yupia to Ziro (≈ ₹550 per person).
🌄 About Ziro Valley
Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, Ziro is home to the Apatani tribe and famous for its pine forests, terraced paddy fields and the Ziro Music Festival. Average temperatures in November range from 5 °C to 20 °C — perfect for chess and exploration. Attractions include Talley Valley Sanctuary, Kiwi farms, Heritage Park Kasa Resort and Hong Village cultural tours.
Organizer
All Arunachal Pradesh Chess Association (AAPCA) is the official chess body for the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, working to bring structured, over-the-board chess to one of the most picturesque and remote corners of the country. Based around the twin capital cities of Itanagar–Naharlagun, the association coordinates state and district events, nurtures juniors, and connects local talents with the wider Indian chess circuit.
Over the years AAPCA has grown from a small volunteer initiative into a consistently active tournament organizer, running state FIDE-rated championships, selection events, and hosting prestigious regional competitions such as the North East FIDE Rating Chess Championship. With the launch of the 1st Arunachal Pradesh International Chess Festival 2025 in Ziro Valley, the association has stepped onto the international stage, inviting players from across India and abroad to experience high-level chess against the backdrop of the Eastern Himalayas.
Led by President Er. Niapung Konia and Secretary Tamchi Kache, AAPCA works under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation and collaborates closely with district chess associations, local authorities, and schools. Their focus on fair play, professional arbiters, and welcoming tournament venues is helping to build a sustainable chess ecosystem in Arunachal Pradesh, giving ambitious players from the North East a clear pathway from grassroots events to strong national and international competition.
-
Organizer Country: India
-
Address: Gingde Niwas, Transport Colony (Polo Colony), Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh – 791122, India
-
Email: aapcachess@gmail.com
-
Email 2: npkonia@yahoo.com
-
Phone: +91 94360 54077
-
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/All-Arunachal-pradesh-chess-association-61571935022936/
