Festival Caissa – Navaratna Blitz FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2026
The chess festival of the year returns to Bengaluru!
The Festival Caissa – Navaratna Blitz FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2026 kicks off on January 23, 2026, as the opening event of the prestigious Festival Caissa Grand Prix Series. Organized by Innovators Chess Academy, this one-day blitz spectacle will take place at the Silicon City Academy of Secondary Education, Konanakunte, Bangalore.
Featuring a ₹5,00,000 total prize fund, 16 main cash prizes, multiple category awards, and Grand Prix points across Festival Caissa’s four events, the Navaratna Blitz is one of India’s richest and most dynamic blitz tournaments.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Date | 23 January 2026 (Friday) |
| 📍 Location | Silicon City Academy of Secondary Education, Konanakunte, Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| ♟️ Format | 9-Round Swiss System (Blitz) |
| 💵 Entry Fee | ₹2,250 (till Nov 30 2025) • ₹2,500 (Dec 1 – Jan 19 2026) • ₹3,000 (Jan 20–21 2026) |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE Blitz Rated |
| ✅ Eligibility | Open to all AICF-registered players • Free entry for GMs & IMs (self-arranged accommodation) |
| 🎯 Prize Fund | ₹5,00,000 total |
| 🔧 AICF Event Code | 439705/KA(B)/2026 |
| 🔧 KSCA Event Code | KSCA/G89/2526 |
| 🔧 BUDCA Event Code | BUDCA/G049/2526 |
| 📅 Player Meeting | 3:30 PM |
| ♟️ Round 1 Starts | 3:45 PM |
🏆 Prize Fund
Main Prizes
| Rank | Prize (₹) | Grand Prix Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1,00,000 + Trophy | 100 |
| 2nd | 75,000 | 90 |
| 3rd | 50,000 | 80 |
| 4th | 40,000 | 70 |
| 5th | 30,000 | 60 |
| 6th | 20,000 | 50 |
| 7th | 15,000 | 40 |
| 8th | 12,000 | 30 |
| 9th–10th | 10,000 each | 20 each |
| 11th–16th | 8,000 each | — |
Special Category Prizes
| Category | 1st Prize (₹) | 2nd Prize (₹) | Grand Prix Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Female Player | 10,000 | 8,000 | 100 / 90 |
| Best Veteran (60+) | 10,000 | 8,000 | 100 / 90 |
| Best Unrated Player | 10,000 | 8,000 | 100 / 90 |
| Best Below 1900 | 10,000 | 8,000 | 100 / 90 |
| Best Below 1600 | 10,000 | 8,000 | 100 / 90 |
Prize money will be transferred online within one week of the tournament.
♛ Festival Caissa Grand Prix Series
The Navaratna Blitz is the first of four FIDE-rated events in Festival Caissa 2026:
| Event | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Navaratna Blitz | Jan 23 2026 | Blitz |
| Crown Rapid | Jan 24 2026 | Rapid |
| Chalice Rapid | Jan 25 2026 | Rapid |
| Sceptre Rapid | Jan 26 2026 | Rapid |
Players earn Grand Prix points based on their results in each event.
Any participant accumulating 400 points across all events receives a ₹1,00,000 bonus.
The top 40 players (and those tied with 40th place) qualify for the Festival Caissa Grand Prix Finals, a 7-round Swiss Blitz on Jan 26 2026 at 6:45 PM.
⏱️ Time Control & Rules
Time Control: 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment from move 1
System: 9-round Swiss (FIDE Blitz Laws apply)
Chief Arbiter: Vasanth B. H.
Protest Fee: ₹1,000 (refundable if upheld)
Certificates: All participants receive e-certificates; winners get merit certificates and trophies
Prize Rule: Players eligible for multiple prizes receive only the higher one
📅 Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 3:30 PM | Players’ Meeting |
| 3:45 PM | Round 1 Start |
| 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Consecutive Rounds |
| 8:15 PM | Prize Distribution |
📝 Registration
Website: https://www.icachess.in
Entry Fee: ₹2,250 (till Nov 30 2025) • ₹2,500 (Dec 1–Jan 19 2026) • ₹3,000 (Jan 20–21 2026)
Free Entry: GMs & IMs (accommodation on own)
Payment Mode: Online via ICA website
Contact: 77600 64000 / 98803 99906 / 91417 05091
Email: sushruthareddy@gmail.com
👥 Organizer
Organized by Innovators Chess Academy, Bengaluru
Under the aegis of FIDE, All India Chess Federation (AICF), Karnataka State Chess Association (KSCA), and BUDCA
🏨 Venue
Silicon City Academy of Secondary Education
Kumar Nursery, Off Kanakapura Road, New Bank Colony, Chunchankatte, Konanakunte, Bangalore – 560062
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/5eZfyBxkBnUmcnjp9
🚗 How to Get There
By Metro: Nearest – Yelachenahalli (Green Line), 10 min drive
By Air: Kempegowda International Airport – 45 km
By Rail: KSR Bengaluru City Junction – 14 km
By Bus: Well connected via BMTC routes to Kanakapura Road
Blitz, brilliance, and Bengaluru — the Festival Caissa Navaratna Blitz 2026 is the ultimate celebration of speed chess in India.
Join the action, score your Grand Prix points, and compete for glory in this spectacular prelude to Festival Caissa 2026!