1st International FIDE Rated Chess Tournament 2026
1st International FIDE Rated Chess Tournament 2026 takes place from May 6-10, 2026 in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India. This is a chess tournament in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India, in 2026. The event brings players together for a 9-round international chess tournament and FIDE rated chess tournament with a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. Sree Iyappa Matriculation Higher Secondary School hosts the competition, and the tournament offers a total guaranteed prize fund of about USD 5,400.
Moreover, this chess tournament in Chengalpattu gives players a strong competitive option in South India with a large open prize structure, multiple category awards, and a clear classical format. In addition, the 1st International FIDE Rated Chess Tournament 2026 combines serious over-the-board play with rating-based special prizes for juniors, women, veterans, unrated players, and several rating bands. As a result, this chess event in Chengalpattu is an appealing choice for players who want a well-funded classical chess tournament in India during May 2026.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | May 6-10, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30-second increment from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | INR 2,500 |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 5,400 (approx.) |
| 👤 Eligibility | Open to all players |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Free entry for GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs; specially challenged players pay INR 1,250 |
🏆 Prize Fund
The total confirmed cash prize fund is INR 500,000.
| Prize category | Cash prizes |
|---|---|
| Open | 1st INR 50,000; 2nd INR 35,000; 3rd INR 25,000; 4th INR 15,000; 5th INR 12,000; 6th INR 10,000; 7th INR 9,000; 8th INR 8,000; 9th INR 7,000; 10th INR 6,000; 11th INR 5,000; 12th INR 4,500; 13th INR 4,000; 14th INR 3,500; 15th-20th INR 3,000 each; 21st-30th INR 2,500 each |
| Unrated | 1st INR 12,000; 2nd INR 10,000; 3rd INR 8,000; 4th INR 6,000; 5th INR 4,000; 6th INR 3,000; 7th-10th INR 2,500 each |
| Rating 1400-1600 | 1st INR 12,000; 2nd INR 10,000; 3rd INR 8,000; 4th INR 6,000; 5th INR 4,000; 6th INR 3,000; 7th-10th INR 2,500 each |
| Rating 1601-1700 | 1st INR 12,000; 2nd INR 10,000; 3rd INR 8,000; 4th INR 6,000; 5th INR 4,000; 6th INR 3,000; 7th-10th INR 2,500 each |
| Rating 1701-1800 | 1st INR 12,000; 2nd INR 10,000; 3rd INR 8,000; 4th INR 6,000; 5th INR 4,000; 6th INR 3,000; 7th-10th INR 2,500 each |
| Best Veteran 55+ | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 1,500; 4th INR 1,000; 5th INR 1,000 |
| Best Women 18+ | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 1,500; 4th INR 1,000; 5th INR 1,000 |
| Boys & Girls Age Categories | 1st INR 1,500; 2nd INR 1,000; 3rd INR 750; 4th-5th Trophy; 6th-10th Medal |
In addition, the age category awards cover Under 7, Under 9, Under 11, Under 13, and Under 15 for both boys and girls. However, each player may claim a prize only in the higher category.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a 9-round Swiss system. Each player receives 90 minutes for the full game plus a 30-second increment from move one. Therefore, the event follows a traditional classical chess tournament structure from the first round to the last.
Moreover, the latest FIDE Laws of Chess apply throughout the tournament. The published tiebreak method uses Buchholz. In addition, the default time is 15 minutes from the start of the round, so players must arrive promptly. Players who come later lose the game. Furthermore, the organizer does not split prizes in the event of a tie.
📂 Sections / Groups
The tournament has one main open section. In addition, the organizer offers special prize categories for unrated players, players rated 1400-1600, 1601-1700, and 1701-1800, best women, best veterans aged 55 and above, and several boys and girls age groups.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2026 | Wednesday | 9:30 AM | Arrival and reporting |
| May 6, 2026 | Wednesday | 10:30 AM | Round 1 |
| May 6, 2026 | Wednesday | 3:30 PM | Round 2 |
| May 7, 2026 | Thursday | 9:30 AM | Round 3 |
| May 7, 2026 | Thursday | 3:00 PM | Round 4 |
| May 8, 2026 | Friday | 9:30 AM | Round 5 |
| May 8, 2026 | Friday | 3:00 PM | Round 6 |
| May 9, 2026 | Saturday | 9:30 AM | Round 7 |
| May 9, 2026 | Saturday | 3:00 PM | Round 8 |
| May 10, 2026 | Sunday | 9:30 AM | Round 9 |
| May 10, 2026 | Sunday | 3:30 PM | Prize distribution |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Entry by demand draft, NEFT, bank deposit, or approved online chess payment platforms |
| Entry fee | INR 2,500 |
| Special fee | INR 1,250 for specially challenged players |
| Free entry | GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs |
| Deadline | Entries close at 6:00 PM on May 3, 2026 |
| Payment | Demand draft, NEFT, bank deposit, or online payment |
| Registration requirement | AICF registration is compulsory for Indian players |
| Tamil Nadu registration | TNSCA registration is compulsory for Tamil Nadu players |
| Chengalpattu district registration | CGDCA registration is compulsory for Chengalpattu district players only |
| Receipt confirmation | Players who pay by bank transfer or online payment must send the receipt copy by WhatsApp or email |
👥 Organizer
Ten Ten Chess Academy organizes this international tournament in Chengalpattu and continues to support competitive chess activity in Tamil Nadu. In addition, the organizer manages registration, prize distribution, and event coordination for a large FIDE-rated field.
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Address: Sree Iyappa Matriculation Higher Secondary School, No. 20, 26, Velunaicker Street, Sholinganallur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu 600119, India
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Email: info@tentenchess.com
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Phone: +91 8438221095
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Website: https://www.tentenchess.com
🏨 Venue
Sree Iyappa Matriculation Higher Secondary School, No. 20, 26, Velunaicker Street, Sholinganallur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu 600119, India
The tournament takes place at a school venue that has already hosted chess events. Moreover, the playing site gives the festival a practical indoor setting for a large multi-day competition. Players also benefit from one main venue for the full schedule.
🚗 How to Get There
The venue is located in Sholinganallur in the Chengalpattu district area of Tamil Nadu. In addition, players can reach the site by road from Chennai and nearby parts of the region. Therefore, the tournament remains accessible for local players as well as visitors traveling from other parts of India.
🧾 Other
Players who want to challenge the Chief Arbiter’s decision must submit a written protest within 15 minutes of the incident and pay a protest fee of INR 1,000. In addition, the organizer forms the appeals committee before the tournament starts. Wrist watches are restricted inside the playing hall in all FIDE-rated events.
Players must arrange their own accommodation. Moreover, winners must collect prizes in person during the prize distribution ceremony. Otherwise, they lose the prize.
Join this major May event in Tamil Nadu and compete in a high-value FIDE-rated chess tournament with a full classical schedule and wide prize coverage.
Organizer
Ten Ten Chess Academy is a Chennai-based chess academy and tournament organizer active in Tamil Nadu, India. It combines chess coaching, player development, and event management under one academy brand. Moreover, it presents itself as a structured training center for beginners as well as improving competitive players.
The academy runs chess training, state-level tournaments, and children’s events with a clear focus on organized over-the-board play. Its public activity includes open chess tournament formats and scholastic competitions, while official materials also connect the academy to rated event administration. In addition, its tournament work is closely tied to Amarnath SJ, who is identified in official academy materials as an international rated player, senior national arbiter, and organizer.
Beyond event operations, the academy supports junior chess growth through lessons, practice, and regular competitive opportunities. Therefore, it plays a practical role in the local chess community in Chennai. At the same time, its combination of coaching and tournament delivery gives it a visible profile in youth and grassroots chess.
