360 Global Chess Festival Season 9 brings a major classical chess festival to Mumbai, India from June 10 to June 18, 2026. The event takes place at the World Trade Centre in Cuffe Parade and features three sections: 360 One Masters Chess Tournament, 360 One Challengers Chess Tournament, and 360 One Junior Masters Chess Tournament.
The festival gives players three clear paths. The Masters section welcomes players who reached a classical rating of 2400 or higher in the last 24 months. Meanwhile, the Challengers section is open to unrated players and to rated players who did not cross 2399 in that same period. The Junior Masters section is for players born on or between January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2018.
The event also offers a strong prize structure and a practical single-venue setup. In addition, the organizer has published clear rules on entry fees, late fees, tie-breaks, fair play, accommodation, and local travel. As a result, players can plan the full tournament week with much more confidence.
🏁 Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 10 – 18, 2026 |
| Arrival | June 9, 2026 |
| Location | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Venue | Expo Center, The Arcade, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai 400005 |
| Format | 9-round Swiss in all three sections |
| Time control | 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, with a 30-second increment from move 1 |
| Rating | National and international rated |
| Sections | Masters, Challengers, Junior Masters |
| Prize fund | INR 60,00,000 total (approx. USD 70,400) |
| Prize fund by section | Masters: INR 35,00,000; Challengers: INR 15,00,000; Junior Masters: INR 10,00,000 |
| Chess-Results – Masters | https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1388199.aspx?lan=1&art=0&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 |
| Chess-Results – Challengers | https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1388203.aspx?lan=1&art=0&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 |
| Chess-Results – Junior Masters | https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1388222.aspx?lan=1&art=0&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
All three sections use a 9-round Swiss format. Players receive 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 30 minutes for the rest of the game, and they add 30 seconds per move from move one. Moreover, the organizer uses Swiss Manager for pairings.
The festival also applies a strict late-arrival rule. A player who reaches the board more than 30 minutes after the scheduled start loses the game by forfeit. In addition, players may not agree to a draw before 40 moves unless the arbiter gives consent.
Tie-breaks follow a clear order. First comes Buchholz Cut 1. Then the organizer applies Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, direct encounter, greater number of wins including forfeit points, and finally greater number of wins with Black.
💰 Prize Fund
The festival offers a total confirmed prize fund of INR 60,00,000 (approx. USD 70,400). The Masters section carries INR 35,00,000, the Challengers section carries INR 15,00,000, and the Junior Masters section carries INR 10,00,000.
Masters Prize Breakdown
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | INR 8,00,000 + Trophy |
| 2nd | INR 6,50,000 + Trophy |
| 3rd | INR 5,00,000 + Trophy |
| 4th | INR 3,50,000 |
| 5th | INR 2,00,000 |
| 6th–15th | INR 1,00,000 each |
Challengers Prize Breakdown
| Place / Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | INR 3,00,000 + Trophy |
| 2nd | INR 2,00,000 + Trophy |
| 3rd | INR 1,00,000 + Trophy |
| 4th | INR 75,000 |
| 5th | INR 60,000 |
| 6th–15th | INR 50,000 each |
| 16th–20th | INR 35,000 each |
| Best Female – 1st | INR 40,000 |
| Best Female – 2nd | INR 30,000 |
| Best Female – 3rd | INR 25,000 |
Junior Masters Prize Breakdown
| Place / Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | INR 2,00,000 + Trophy |
| 2nd | INR 1,50,000 + Trophy |
| 3rd | INR 1,00,000 + Trophy |
| 4th | INR 75,000 |
| 5th | INR 50,000 |
| 6th–20th | INR 25,000 each |
| Best Female – 1st | INR 25,000 |
| Best Female – 2nd | INR 15,000 |
| Best Female – 3rd | INR 10,000 |
Junior Masters Age Trophies
| Category | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| Under 08 | 3 trophies | 3 trophies |
| Under 09 | 3 trophies | 3 trophies |
| Under 10 | 3 trophies | 3 trophies |
| Under 11 | 3 trophies | 3 trophies |
| Best Players from Indian Chess School | 3 trophies | 3 trophies |
Prizes are not shared. Moreover, each player may receive only one higher prize.
♟️ Sections / Groups
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Masters | Open to players who achieved a minimum classical rating of 2400 in the last 24 months from July 2024 to June 2026 FRL |
| Challengers | Open to unrated players and to rated players who did not cross 2399 in the same period |
| Junior Masters | Open to rated and unrated players born on or between January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2018 |
Foreign players may also enter the Masters section on a case-by-case basis. In the Junior Masters, players must provide a valid birth certificate, while foreign juniors must hold a valid FIDE ID.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| June 9, 2026 | 14:00 | Arrival |
| June 10, 2026 | 15:00 | Round 1 |
| June 11, 2026 | 15:00 | Round 2 |
| June 12, 2026 | 15:00 | Round 3 |
| June 13, 2026 | 15:00 | Round 4 |
| June 14, 2026 | 15:00 | Round 5 |
| June 15, 2026 | 15:00 | Round 6 |
| June 16, 2026 | 15:00 | Round 7 |
| June 17, 2026 | 15:00 | Round 8 |
| June 18, 2026 | 13:00 | Round 9 |
| June 18, 2026 | 18:00 | Prize Distribution |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Masters entry – GM / IM / WGM / WIM | Free |
| Masters entry – all remaining players | INR 10,000 |
| Challengers entry – GM / IM / WGM / WIM | Free |
| Challengers entry – all remaining players | INR 7,500 |
| Junior Masters entry – GM / IM / WGM / WIM | Free |
| Junior Masters entry – all remaining players | INR 5,000 |
| Cluster entry – Junior Masters + Challengers | INR 10,000 |
| Cluster entry – Junior Masters + Masters | INR 14,000 |
| Last date of payment without late fee | June 5, 2026 |
| Last date of payment with late fee of INR 500 | June 9, 2026 |
| Payment method | Secure Circle Chess payment gateway |
| Refund policy | No refund on player cancellation |
| AICF registration | Mandatory for the 2026–2027 season before entry submission |
| MCA registration for Maharashtra players | Mandatory for the 2026–2027 season before entry submission |
| FIDE-flag players | Must hold a licensed FIDE ID before registration |
| Right to entry | Indian Chess School may reject an entry and refund the fee |
No waiver of the entry fee or late fee will be entertained. Therefore, early payment remains the safer option for every section.
👤 Organizer
Indian Chess School organizes the festival in collaboration with the 360 One Group of Companies. In addition, AICF, MCA, and the Mumbai City District Chess Association recognize the event.
Phone: +91 98205 47548
Email: prafulzaveri@indianchessschool.com
📍 Venue
Expo Center, The Arcade, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai 400005, Maharashtra, India
The venue gives the festival a strong South Mumbai setting close to the Gateway of India. Moreover, the World Trade Centre works well for a long classical event because players can reach it easily from major transport hubs across the city.
🛏️ Accommodation
The organizer provides free twin-sharing hotel accommodation for invited foreign and Indian players. In addition, invited players receive a food allowance of INR 10,000 total for lunch and dinner.
All other participants must arrange their own accommodation.
🚗 How to Get There
The World Trade Centre in Cuffe Parade is easy to reach from Mumbai’s main transport hubs. Players can travel by taxi, shared cab, or BEST bus from Churchgate and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Meanwhile, Cuffe Parade Metro Station on Metro Line 3 is within about a five-minute walk of the venue. For air travel, the venue lies about 27 km from Mumbai’s international and domestic airport terminals via the Western Express Highway.
ℹ️ Other
The festival applies strict fair-play rules. Players may not carry bags, mobile phones, or other electronic devices into the playing arena. Instead, they must use the dedicated deposit arrangements before entering the hall.
The appeals process is also clear. A player must submit any objection to the Chief Arbiter in writing within 30 minutes of the incident and add a INR 2,000 protest fee. If the appeal succeeds, the organizer refunds that fee.
Mumbai usually sees monsoon weather in June. Therefore, players should plan extra travel time, carry rain protection, and protect documents and devices during daily commutes.
This Mumbai festival offers a strong classical structure, a major prize fund, and clear entry paths for masters, challengers, and young players.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $70,400
Organizer
♟️ Academy Identity
Indian Chess School is a Mumbai-based chess academy and organizer that combines coaching, tournaments, and school outreach. It was founded by Praful Zaveri, whose work has shaped its public identity from the start. For players and families, ICS offers a structured path into chess rather than a loose set of lessons. It runs programs for children, adults, beginners, and improving tournament players. The academy also works through both classroom training and online training, which makes access easier for students with different schedules. Its visible base includes Borivali West and Dahisar East in Mumbai. That city presence gives the academy a practical link to one of India’s most active chess regions. In addition, Praful Zaveri holds recognized FIDE roles in training, organizing, and arbiting, which gives ICS stronger standing than a typical local coaching center.
🏆 Tournament Activity
Indian Chess School also has a real and long-running tournament profile. It has organized rated events in Mumbai and helped deliver larger chess competitions with wider visibility. Its public record includes FIDE-rated tournaments, youth events, and major open competitions linked to Mumbai chess. ICS has also been associated with the EKA IIFL Wealth Mumbai International Chess Tournament and the 360 ONE Wealth Mumbai International Chess Tournament. That matters because the academy does more than teach. It also helps create serious playing opportunities for students and competitive amateurs. Alongside bigger events, it promotes junior competition through the Mumbai Junior Under-13 event and similar youth-facing activity. As a result, players can connect training with real tournament experience inside the same ecosystem. That blend of teaching and event work gives ICS a stronger competitive identity.
🌱 School Chess and Player Development
ICS stands out most in school chess and long-term player development. It runs a dedicated chess-in-schools program and supports a clear learning pathway through six training levels. Students can start as complete beginners and move step by step toward stronger play. The academy also uses its own teaching material, including The Chess Course by Praful Zaveri. That gives the training structure more consistency across levels. Beyond student coaching, ICS has worked on trainer development through the School Chess Trainer Diploma Course. This expands its impact beyond one academy hall. It also helps schools and educators deliver chess in a more organized way. For younger players, that system matters because it connects first lessons, regular practice, tournament exposure, and coach-led improvement. Therefore, ICS serves not only as an academy, but also as a practical development platform for chess growth in Mumbai.
Venue on the Map
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