The 51st National Women Chess Championship 2025 will be held from December 3–13, 2025 at the Sidhu Kanu Indoor Stadium, Durgapur, West Bengal, organized by Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha (SBDS) on behalf of the All India Chess Federation (AICF). The event is supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, in association with Paschim Bardhaman Daba Sangstha and Allsport Foundation.

This prestigious championship brings together India’s strongest women players, including Grandmasters, International Masters, and top emerging stars. With an impressive total prize fund of ₹30,00,000, the event will crown India’s National Women Champion for 2025 and select representatives for international competitions.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

• 90 minutes for the first 40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest of the game + 30 seconds increment from move 1.

• 11 rounds total under the Swiss system (FIDE Laws of Chess).

• Players from the same state will not be paired in the last round unless unavoidable.

• Default time: 15 minutes after round start.

• Draws not permitted before Black’s 30th move without arbiter consent.

📅 Schedule

📂 Sections / Groups

📝 Registration

• All entries must be submitted through AICF-affiliated state associations or institutions.

• Online entry: https://prs.aicf.in/entry

• Email for queries: aicfnationalentries@gmail.com

• Last date: November 19, 2025 • Late fee ₹250 until November 26, 2025 (no entries after 5:00 PM).

• AICF Registration mandatory for 2025–26: www.aicf.in/players

🏨 Venue

Sidhu Kanu Indoor Stadium, Durgapur, West Bengal

🛎️ Accommodation

• Free dormitory accommodation (shared) for all normal-entry players and one manager per state.

• Selected/seeded players get complimentary double/triple sharing rooms.

• Special entry players and accompanying persons arrange their own stay (contact organizers for paid options).

• ₹1,500 boarding allowance for state-nominated normal entry players.

Nearby Hotels

(Dozens of other hotels listed in the official circular are within 4 km radius.)

🚗 How to Get There

• By Air: Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport (Durgapur) – 13.2 km / 20 minutes

• By Train: Durgapur Railway Station – 7.8 km / 17 minutes

• By Bus: Durgapur City Centre – 1.9 km / 6 minutes

• From Kolkata: Frequent trains from Howrah (≈2 hours) or buses from Esplanade/Karunamoyee (≈3 hours 15 min).

👥 Organizer

Organized by Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha (SBDS)
On behalf of the All India Chess Federation (AICF)

• Email: sbds.chess@gmail.com

• Coordinator: Mr. Tuhin Kanti Das – +91 99030 65633

• Secretary: IA Asit Baran Choudhury – +91 94330 73506

• Vice Presidents: IA Debasish Barua, FT Rajendra Singh

• Office: Sidhu Kanu Indoor Stadium, Durgapur

🚸 Dress Code

All players must wear uniform shirts/T-shirts with the state name printed on the back and emblem on the front. Non-compliance will disqualify players from participation.

⚖️ Regulations & Appeals

• Protests must be submitted in writing with ₹3,000 fee within 30 minutes of the incident.

• Appeals Committee decisions are final.

• Players leaving before the prize ceremony without arbiter approval face a one-year suspension.

🏙️ About Durgapur

Known as the Steel City of West Bengal, Durgapur is a planned industrial hub with modern infrastructure, shopping malls, hotels, and recreation facilities. Major attractions include the Durgapur Barrage, City Centre, Benachity Market, Kumar Mangalam Park, and Science & Energy Park.

Discover chess, culture, and competition at one of India’s strongest women’s events — the 51st National Women Chess Championship 2025 in Durgapur!