35th CUSAT FIDE Rated Chess Tournament
35th CUSAT FIDE Rated Chess Tournament takes place from May 21-24, 2026 in Kochi, Kerala, India. This is a chess tournament in Kochi, Kerala, India, in 2026. The event brings players together for an eight-round over-the-board chess tournament with one main section and a full classical chess tournament format at the CUSAT campus. It is a FIDE rated chess tournament approved by FIDE, AICF, CAK, and ECA, and the event offers a confirmed cash prize fund of about USD 4,700.
Moreover, this chess tournament in Kochi stands out for its broad prize structure, strong category coverage, and practical campus setting in South Kalamassery. In addition, the 35th CUSAT FIDE Rated Chess Tournament includes rating prizes, age-group cash awards, women’s prizes, veteran prizes, and CUSAT-specific prizes. As a result, this chess event in Kochi is an appealing choice for titled players, ambitious juniors, club competitors, veterans, unrated players, and local talents who want a substantial FIDE rated chess tournament in Kerala.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | May 21-24, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Kochi, Kerala, India |
| ♟️ Format | 8-round Swiss tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated |
| 📂 Sections | 1 section |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30-second increment from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | INR 2,000 until May 10, 2026; INR 2,500 from May 11-15, 2026 |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 4,700 (approx.) |
| 👤 Eligibility | Open to eligible players meeting registration requirements |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | 50% concession for the CUSAT community; no spot entry |
🏆 Prize Fund
The total confirmed cash prize fund is INR 400,000.
| Prize category | Cash prizes |
|---|---|
| Main prizes | 1st INR 30,000; 2nd INR 25,000; 3rd INR 20,000; 4th INR 15,000; 5th INR 10,000; 6th INR 9,000; 7th INR 8,000; 8th INR 7,000; 9th INR 6,000; 10th INR 6,000; 11th INR 5,000; 12th INR 5,000; 13th INR 5,000; 14th INR 5,000; 15th INR 5,000; 16th INR 4,000; 17th INR 4,000; 18th INR 4,000; 19th INR 4,000; 20th INR 4,000; 21st INR 3,500; 22nd INR 3,500; 23rd INR 3,500; 24th INR 3,500; 25th INR 3,500; 26th INR 3,000; 27th INR 3,000; 28th INR 3,000; 29th INR 3,000; 30th INR 3,000 |
| Rating 1701-1800 | 1st INR 5,000; 2nd INR 3,500; 3rd INR 3,000; 4th INR 2,500; 5th INR 2,500 |
| Rating 1601-1700 | 1st INR 5,000; 2nd INR 3,500; 3rd INR 3,000; 4th INR 2,500; 5th INR 2,500 |
| Rating 1501-1600 | 1st INR 5,000; 2nd INR 3,500; 3rd INR 3,000; 4th INR 2,500; 5th INR 2,500 |
| Rating 0-1500 | 1st INR 5,000; 2nd INR 3,500; 3rd INR 3,000; 4th INR 2,500; 5th INR 2,500 |
| Unrated | 1st INR 5,000; 2nd INR 3,500; 3rd INR 3,000; 4th INR 2,500; 5th INR 2,500 |
| Veteran 50-59 | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 2,500 |
| Senior Citizen 60+ | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 2,500 |
| Women | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 2,500 |
| Divyang | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 2,500 |
| CUSAT | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 2,500 |
| Under 9 Boys | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 2,500 |
| Under 9 Girls | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 2,500 |
| Under 11 Boys | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 2,500 |
| Under 11 Girls | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 2,500 |
| Under 13 Boys | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 2,500 |
| Under 13 Girls | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 2,500 |
| Under 15 Boys | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 2,500 |
| Under 15 Girls | 1st INR 3,000; 2nd INR 2,500; 3rd INR 2,500 |
In addition, players may choose the higher prize when more than one category applies. Proof of date of birth is compulsory for age-category prizes.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses an 8-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 full classical chess tournament structure across four days.
In addition, the latest FIDE rules apply throughout the tournament. Any protest must be submitted within 15 minutes of the incident together with a protest fee of INR 500. AICF registration for the 2026-27 year is compulsory. Moreover, Kerala players must also complete CAK registration for 2026.
📂 Sections / Groups
The tournament is played as one main open section. However, the prize structure includes rating categories, age-group prizes, women’s prizes, veteran prizes, Divyang prizes, CUSAT prizes, and unrated prizes.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | Thursday | 10:00 AM | Inauguration |
| May 21, 2026 | Thursday | 11:00 AM | Players Meeting |
| May 21, 2026 | Thursday | 11:30 AM | Round 1 |
| May 21, 2026 | Thursday | 4:00 PM | Round 2 |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | 9:30 AM | Round 3 |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | 3:00 PM | Round 4 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | 9:30 AM | Round 5 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | 3:00 PM | Round 6 |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | 8:30 AM | Round 7 |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | 2:30 PM | Round 8 |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | 6:00 PM | Prize Distribution |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Online registration through chessmii.com |
| Entry fee | INR 2,000 until May 10, 2026 |
| Late fee | INR 2,500 from May 11-15, 2026 |
| Deadline | Entry closes at 10:00 PM on May 15, 2026 |
| Payment | Online registration or cash remittance at CUSAT Chess Club |
| Concession | 50% concession for the CUSAT community |
| Accommodation booking deadline | Hostel booking before May 1, 2026 only |
| Membership | AICF registration is compulsory |
| State registration | CAK registration is compulsory for Kerala players |
| Special note | No spot entry is allowed |
👥 Organizer
The Department of Physical Education, CUSAT organizes this established rated event in association with CUSAT Chess Club. In addition, the organizing team manages registration, accommodation coordination, and tournament operations throughout the full schedule in Kochi.
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Address: Department of Physical Education, CUSAT, Kochi 682022, Kerala, India
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Email: dpeoffice@cusat.ac.in
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Phone: +91 9447396758
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Website: https://www.chessmii.com
🏨 Venue
CUSAT Campus, South Kalamassery, Ernakulam District, Kochi, Kerala, India
The tournament takes place on the CUSAT campus in South Kalamassery. Moreover, the venue gives players one central playing site for the full event. This setup keeps the schedule practical and easy to follow from the opening ceremony to the prize distribution.
🛎️ Accommodation
Limited unfurnished hostel accommodation is available at INR 650 per person for the whole tournament period. However, hostel booking must be completed before May 1, 2026, and allocation is made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Players may also arrange their own accommodation independently if they prefer other options in Kochi.
🚗 How to Get There
The CUSAT campus is about 10 km from Aluva Railway Station and around 12 km from Ernakulam Railway Station. In addition, Metro Rail service is available from both Ernakulam and Aluva to CUSAT Station. Therefore, the venue is convenient for both local players and visitors arriving by rail.
Take part in one of Kerala’s notable rated events and enjoy four days of competitive FIDE-rated chess at the CUSAT campus in Kochi.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $4,700
Organizer
Department of Physical Education, Cochin University of Science and Technology is a Kochi-based university department and experienced chess organizer in Kerala, India. It leads sports development at CUSAT and also supports structured competitive chess within the university environment. Moreover, it has a long connection with organized chess activity on campus.
The department runs sports programs, student competitions, and major open chess tournament events in association with CUSAT Chess Club. Its public tournament activity includes the long-running CUSAT FIDE-rated event, which has developed into a recognized classical chess competition in India. In addition, it is the primary organizer behind the 35th CUSAT FIDE Rated Chess Tournament linked to your prompt.
Beyond tournament operations, the department helps strengthen campus sports culture and supports wider participation in competitive events. Therefore, its role goes beyond internal university activity and extends into visible FIDE-rated tournament organization. At the same time, its partnership with the campus chess structure reinforces its place in the regional chess community.
