♟️ About Guardians of Greater Dibrugarh Chess Players

Guardians of Greater Dibrugarh Chess Players is a chess tournament-organizing group based in Dibrugarh, Assam, India. The organization is closely associated with the Kurukshetra Open FIDE Rating Chess Tournament, a long-running competitive event in northeastern India. Through this series, it brings together local club players, young talents, and experienced competitors from across India. Its tournaments are organized in association with D.H.S.K. College, Dibrugarh and the Dibrugarh District Chess Association. These partnerships have helped establish a consistent home for nationally and internationally rated chess in the Upper Assam region.

🏆 The Kurukshetra Open Tournament Tradition

The Kurukshetra Open is the organization's best-documented tournament series. Its fifth edition in April 2018 attracted 163 participants from ten Indian states, along with one international competitor. The event took place at D.H.S.K. College and reflected the growing reach of competitive chess in Dibrugarh. The series continued in the following years. The seventh edition in December 2022 brought together 164 players, while the eighth edition in November 2023 attracted 158 participants. International Master Vikramaditya Kulkarni won the 2023 tournament with an unbeaten 8½/9, finishing clear of the field. In March 2025, the ninth edition welcomed 265 participants, including a Grandmaster and three International Masters. Grandmaster Saptarshi RoyChowdhury won the tournament on tie-breaks after scoring 8/9. That edition demonstrated the tournament's ability to attract both titled players and rising juniors.

🌍 Supporting FIDE-Rated Chess in Upper Assam

By hosting a recurring FIDE-rated classical tournament, the organization gives players in northeastern India opportunities to compete for international rating points without always traveling to major metropolitan chess centers. The Kurukshetra Open welcomes participants from different regions and provides valuable experience for improving junior and adult competitors. Events in the series follow structured tournament regulations and use qualified arbiter teams. As a result, players can compete under recognized chess rules, with published playing schedules, tie-break procedures, and prize conditions. The series has also helped draw attention to Dibrugarh as a destination for competitive chess.

🏛️ Local Partnerships and Tournament Leadership

D.H.S.K. College has served as a regular host venue for the competition. Its involvement, alongside the Dibrugarh District Chess Association, connects the annual chess event with local educational and sporting institutions. The official brochure for the tenth edition identifies Dr. Intikabur Rahman as President, Abinash Saikia as Working President, and Pulin Konwar as Secretary. Their involvement illustrates the team-based approach behind planning the tournament and coordinating its local partnerships.

📅 10th Kurukshetra Open — December 2026

The 10th Kurukshetra Open FIDE Rating Chess Tournament is scheduled for December 25–30, 2026 at D.H.S.K. College in Dibrugarh. The event is listed by the All India Chess Federation under event code 484279/AS/2026. According to the official event brochure, the competition is planned as a ten-round Swiss-system classical tournament with a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. It offers a published ₹320,000 total prize fund across the open competition and additional award categories. International Arbiter M. Arun Singh is named as the Chief Arbiter. The tenth edition continues a tournament tradition that combines serious rated play with strong local support. For chess players in Assam and beyond, the Kurukshetra Open provides another opportunity to test their skills in a multi-day competition.

🤝 Growing the Dibrugarh Chess Community

Over successive editions, Guardians of Greater Dibrugarh Chess Players has maintained a recognizable annual tournament identity. Its work helps connect juniors, seasoned competitors, tournament officials, and local chess supporters. By sustaining the Kurukshetra Open, the organization contributes to the development and visibility of over-the-board chess in Upper Assam.