♟️ About Khannur Group of Institutions

Khannur Group of Institutions (KGI) is an educational and sports organization based in Ranebennur, Haveri District, Karnataka, India. Its network includes Khannur Vidyanikethan School and other educational and sports initiatives, including Khannur Sports Academy. Chess has become an important part of the group’s sports activity, with KGI organizing competitive tournaments in Karnataka and, increasingly, beyond its home region.

Through its chess program, KGI combines tournament organization with structured player development. Khannur Chess Academy provides group and individual chess training for beginners, intermediate players, and advanced students. In addition, the academy runs regular practice tournaments and game-analysis sessions. This training structure complements KGI’s growing program of open, rated, junior, and championship events.

Dr. Praveen M Khannur serves as President of Khannur Group of Institutions, while Anurag P Khannur is a key operational figure in its chess activity. Anurag is a Senior National Arbiter and regularly works in tournament organization. During 2026, KGI has maintained an active competition program, culminating in the upcoming 7th Khannur Chess Festival 2026 in Mumbai, where Anurag serves as Tournament Director.

📜 History and Development

The origins of the group are connected with Late M. M. Khannur, who is recognized by KGI as its Founder President. His educational vision continues through the institution’s current school and wider development programs.

Later, Dr. Praveen M Khannur and Dr. Shailashree P Khannur developed Khannur Vidyanikethan as part of this broader educational mission. Dr. Shailashree currently serves as CEO of Khannur Group of Institutions. Moreover, the group places sports alongside academics as an important element of student development.

This approach led to the creation of dedicated sports activities and eventually a more structured chess program. As a result, KGI now operates not only as an educational institution but also as an increasingly visible chess organizer.

🎓 Chess Development and Training

KGI’s chess-focused work is represented through Khannur Chess Academy, which provides structured online chess coaching and competitive development. Its programs include small-group courses and individual instruction across different playing levels.

Furthermore, the academy organizes weekly tournaments and game-analysis masterclasses. Titled players and experienced coaches contribute to the training program, giving developing players both instructional and practical competitive experience.

The academy’s public team includes Namitha P Khannur as Co-Founder, IM Nubairshah Shaikh as Head Coach, Abhilash T as Head of Operations, and Manjunath Murthy as Curriculum Head. Therefore, KGI’s chess activity combines tournament management with a defined coaching structure rather than operating only as an occasional event organizer.

🏆 Tournament Activity

KGI has organized several significant chess events during 2026. The 4th Khannur Open FIDE Rated Classical Chess Tournament took place in Ranebennur from January 16–20. The event operated under the aegis of the Karnataka State Chess Association and the All India Chess Federation.

In July, the Khannur name was also part of the RCC–Khannur Below 1800 Chess Festival, conducted in collaboration with Rao’s Chess Corner. The event added another large competitive tournament to the organization’s 2026 chess activity.

KGI also organized the Karnataka State Women’s FIDE Rated Championship 2026, held in Ranebennur from August 21–23. Consequently, its recent portfolio includes open FIDE-rated competition, state championship chess, collaborative events, and local player-development tournaments.

🌟 7th Khannur Chess Festival 2026

The 7th Khannur Chess Festival 2026 represents one of KGI’s most ambitious chess projects to date. The festival is scheduled for November 17–22, 2026, at Swami Vivekanand International School in Kandivali, Mumbai.

The program combines several formats. The main classical tournament is FIDE-rated, while separate rapid and blitz competitions expand the competitive schedule. In addition, the festival includes Bughouse and Puzzle Racer events, creating a broader chess-festival format rather than a single standalone tournament.

Anurag P Khannur serves as Tournament Director. The classical tournament alone carries a prize fund of ₹800,000, while the rapid and blitz events also offer substantial separate prize pools. Therefore, the seventh edition marks a significant expansion of the Khannur tournament series and extends KGI’s organizing activity from Karnataka into Mumbai.

🏛️ Organization and Leadership

Dr. Praveen M Khannur is President of Khannur Group of Institutions, while Dr. Shailashree P Khannur serves as CEO. The wider institution continues to combine education, extracurricular development, sports, and chess.

For chess matters, Anurag P Khannur is the most useful operational contact. He is registered within Karnataka chess as a Senior National Arbiter and has served as organizer, tournament contact, and Tournament Director across Khannur events. His direct involvement provides continuity between KGI’s local chess activities and its larger FIDE-rated tournaments.