4th Zion-Alwin Chess Tournament
Chess players from across Tamil Nadu and beyond travel to Chennai, India for the 4th Zion-Alwin International FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2025–26, a classical open with an eight-round Swiss format and a total prize fund of Rs. 4,00,000. You compete from January 10-13, 2026 in the conference hall of Zion International Public School on Alapakkam–Mappedu Road, play for strong main prizes, and enjoy an event that runs under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, and Chengalpattu District Chess Association.
Organizers from Zion-Alwin Group of Institutions and Mount Chess Academy provide a FIDE-rated event with a modern 90+30 time control, strict default-time and fair-play rules, and a clear structure so every round you play carries real rating and prize impact.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | January 10-13, 2026 (Saturday-Tuesday) |
| 📍 Location | Conference Hall, Zion International Public School, Alapakkam, Mappedu Road, Puthur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600126, India |
| ♟️ Format | Open over-the-board tournament, 8-round Swiss system |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE standard-rated event (AICF event code 444941/TN/2026) under AICF, TNSCA, and Chengalpattu District Chess Association |
| 📂 Sections | Single open tournament with main, rating, veteran, women, and youth age-category prizes |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for the game plus 30 seconds increment per move from move one |
| 🏁 Number of rounds | 8 rounds |
| 💰 Prize fund | Total prize fund Rs. 4,00,000 across main prizes, category prizes, and youth trophies |
| 💳 Entry fee | Rs. 2,000 for all players; free entry for GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs; no spot entries; last date for entry January 6, 2026 |
| 👤 Eligibility | AICF-registered players; Tamil Nadu players must also hold valid TNSCA and Chengalpattu District Chess Association registrations for 2025–26 |
| ☕ Amenities | Canteen facility at the venue for snacks and refreshments during the tournament |
| 📝 Organizer notes | Zion-Alwin Group of Institutions organizes the event with technical support from Mount Chess Academy at Zion International Public School |
🏆 Prize Fund
Main prizes (overall standings)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | Rs. 40,000 |
| 2nd | Rs. 30,000 |
| 3rd | Rs. 25,000 |
| 4th | Rs. 20,000 |
| 5th | Rs. 15,000 |
| 6th | Rs. 10,000 |
| 7th | Rs. 9,000 |
| 8th | Rs. 8,000 |
| 9th | Rs. 7,000 |
| 10th | Rs. 6,000 |
| 11th–20th | Rs. 4,000 each |
| 21st–30th | Rs. 3,000 each |
Category prizes
| Place | Rating 1800–1601 | Rating 1600–1400 | Unrated | Veterans above 55 | Women above 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Rs. 8,000 | Rs. 8,000 | Rs. 8,000 | Rs. 8,000 | Rs. 8,000 |
| 2nd | Rs. 6,000 | Rs. 6,000 | Rs. 6,000 | Rs. 6,000 | Rs. 6,000 |
| 3rd | Rs. 5,000 | Rs. 5,000 | Rs. 5,000 | Rs. 5,000 | Rs. 5,000 |
| 4th | Rs. 4,000 | Rs. 4,000 | Rs. 4,000 | Rs. 4,000 | Rs. 4,000 |
| 5th | Rs. 3,000 | Rs. 3,000 | Rs. 3,000 | Rs. 3,000 | Rs. 3,000 |
| 6th | Rs. 2,500 | Rs. 2,500 | Rs. 2,500 | Rs. 2,500 | – |
| 7th | Rs. 2,500 | Rs. 2,500 | Rs. 2,500 | Rs. 2,500 | – |
| 8th | Rs. 2,500 | Rs. 2,500 | Rs. 2,500 | Rs. 2,500 | – |
Organizers apply standard tiebreaks according to the latest AICF regulations and do not share prize money in case of ties.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
You play every game with 90 minutes for the entire game and a 30-second increment from move one.
Organizers run an 8-round Swiss-system tournament.
The event follows the latest FIDE Laws of Chess and AICF regulations.
The default time equals 30 minutes; if you arrive more than 30 minutes late, you forfeit the game.
Organizers apply the latest AICF tiebreak rules to decide rankings and prize distribution and keep prize money indivisible.
You may withdraw from the event at any stage only after you inform the Chief Arbiter in writing.
An Appeals Committee of five members forms at the players’ meeting; you may file a written protest within 15 minutes of the incident together with a protest fee of Rs. 1,000, which organizers refund if they uphold the appeal.
As per current AICF regulations, you may not wear any kind of wristwatch inside the playing hall during a FIDE-rated game.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open tournament | Single FIDE-rated Swiss | All participants play in one open group; organizers distribute main prizes, rating prizes for multiple rating bands, veteran and women prizes, and youth trophies (Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 18). |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 10, 2026 | Saturday | 9:30 a.m. | Inauguration |
| January 10, 2026 | Saturday | 10:30 a.m. | Round 1 |
| January 10, 2026 | Saturday | 3:30 p.m. | Round 2 |
| January 11, 2026 | Sunday | 9:30 a.m. | Round 3 |
| January 11, 2026 | Sunday | 3:00 p.m. | Round 4 |
| January 12, 2026 | Monday | 9:30 a.m. | Round 5 |
| January 12, 2026 | Monday | 3:00 p.m. | Round 6 |
| January 13, 2026 | Tuesday | 8:30 a.m. | Round 7 |
| January 13, 2026 | Tuesday | 1:30 p.m. | Round 8 |
| January 13, 2026 | Tuesday | 6:00 p.m. | Prize distribution |
| January 13, 2026 | Tuesday | 7:30 p.m. | Departure |
You play two rounds per day on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and two final rounds plus the closing ceremony on Tuesday.
📝 Registration
You complete your entry and payment before the last date of January 6, 2026, because organizers do not accept spot entries.
Entry fees
Rs. 2,000 for all players
Free entry for GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs
Online payment and entry portals
You may pay your entry fee through any of the following chess payment platforms:
AICF player registration
AICF player registration is compulsory for all participants.
AICF registration fee: Rs. 300 for the year 2025–26.
Existing players renew at: http://aicf.in/players/
New players register at: http://aicf.in/online-player-registration/
Players should keep a scanned passport-size photograph (JPEG under 1 MB), birth certificate, and a unique valid email address ready for the AICF registration form.
TNSCA player registration (Tamil Nadu players)
TNSCA registration is compulsory for all Tamil Nadu players.
TNSCA registration fee: Rs. 150 for the year 2025–26.
Existing players renew at: https://registration.tamilchess.com/
New players register at: https://registration.tamilchess.com/new-register/
Chengalpattu District registration (district players)
Chengalpattu District Chess Association registration fee: Rs. 75 for the year 2025–26 for district players.
By entering, you confirm that you hold valid AICF and relevant state/district registrations and that you accept all tournament regulations, including tiebreak, default-time, and appeal procedures.
👥 Organizer
Zion-Alwin Group of Institutions hosts the 4th Zion-Alwin International FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2025–26 at Zion International Public School and works with Mount Chess Academy and the local chess associations to deliver a professionally run FIDE-rated open. The team combines a large school campus, experienced arbiters, and strong institutional backing so you can enjoy a well-organized event with clear rules and smooth logistics throughout the four days.
Phone (tournament contact – Mount Chess Academy): +91 90436 90467 (FA Yamuna R, Secretary, Mount Chess Academy)
Phone (international arbiter): +91 95009 12898 (IA R. Muthukumar)
Phone (district official): +91 98405 83157 (IA H. Santhanam, Joint Secretary, Chengalpattu District Chess Association)
Website (school venue): https://zioninternationalpublicschool.in/
🏨 Venue
You play all rounds in the conference hall of Zion International Public School, Alapakkam, Mappedu Road, Puthur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600126, India. The school campus provides a spacious indoor hall for the boards, ample lighting, and the infrastructure of a large educational institution, so you can focus on your games in a structured and disciplined environment.
🛎️ Accommodation
Players arrange their own boarding and lodging for the duration of the tournament. You may contact the organizers’ hotel coordinator for suggestions and reservations:
Hotel accommodation contact: Mr. V. Jagan – Phone: +91 99412 55744
A canteen operates at the venue, so you can buy food and drinks between rounds without leaving the school premises. When you book accommodation, you align your stay with the full event schedule from January 10–13, 2026, including the evening prize distribution on the final day.
🚗 How to Get There
Zion International Public School stands on Alapakkam–Mappedu Road near Puthur in the southern part of Chennai. If you drive, you follow city routes toward Tambaram and Mappedu Road, then continue along Alapakkam–Mappedu Road until you reach the school entrance, where local streets offer space for drop-off and nearby parking.
If you use public transport, you travel to Chennai first and then continue by suburban train or bus toward the Chengalpattu corridor and Mappedu–Puthur area, before taking a local auto-rickshaw or taxi for the final stretch to the campus. You should plan to arrive early on the first day to complete any remaining formalities before the inauguration and Round 1.
🧾 Other
The tournament uses the latest AICF tiebreak system and does not split prize money when players finish with the same score.
Organizers restrict wristwatches and electronic devices inside the playing hall according to AICF regulations and may impose penalties for violations.
Players authorize the organizers to publish their names, ratings, pairings, and results for rating and reporting purposes when they register.
The Appeals Committee’s decision remains final and binding on all players once it rules on a protest.
Organizers reserve the right to make minor changes to the schedule or regulations if necessary, and they announce any such changes at the venue.
You can start your 2026 chess year in Chennai, play eight serious FIDE-rated games in a competitive open field, and chase cash prizes, trophies, and rating gains at the 4th Zion-Alwin International FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2025–26.