Late Shri Vasudeva V Dempo Memorial FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2026
The Late Shri Vasudeva V Dempo Memorial FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2026 takes place from November 15 to 20, 2026, in Panaji, Goa, India. The six-day classical tournament brings players together for nine FIDE-rated rounds at Rajaram Smruti Sabhagruha in central Panaji.
Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association organizes the tournament, with Mahesh Candolkar serving as Tournament Director. Meanwhile, International Arbiter Arvind Mhamal leads the arbiting team as Chief Arbiter, assisted by FIDE Arbiter Dattaram Pinge.
The competition offers a total cash prize fund of ₹410,000, approximately $4,260. Moreover, rated and unrated players can participate, while the live Chess-Results page already provides the starting list and will publish pairings and results as the tournament approaches.
♟️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | Late Shri Vasudeva V Dempo Memorial FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | November 15–20, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Panaji, Goa, India |
| 🏛️ Venue | Rajaram Smruti Sabhagruha, Gomantak Maratha Samaj – Swami Vivekanand Road, Altinho, Panaji, Goa 403001, India |
| 👤 Organizer | Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association |
| ♟️ Format | Classical Swiss |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move |
| ⭐ FIDE Rated | Yes |
| 🆔 FIDE Event ID | 496022 |
| 💰 Prize Fund | ₹410,000 (approx. $4,260) |
| 🔗 Chess-Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1487632.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. Players compete across nine rounds under the Swiss system.
FIDE rating calculations apply to the event. In addition, Swiss-Manager handles the tournament pairings, while Chess-Results provides the official online starting list, pairings and results.
The FIDE tournament registration also records three multiple-round days during the six-day competition. However, the organizer has not yet published a complete round-by-round timetable in the currently available public material.
🏆 Prize Fund
The total published prize fund is ₹410,000, approximately $4,260.
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Total Prize Fund | ₹410,000 (approx. $4,260) |
The organizer has not yet released the complete individual prize breakdown in the public brochure. Therefore, players should use the official Chess-Results page for the latest prize information once the full prospectus becomes available.
📝 Registration
Registration currently operates through the Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association payment QR code. After payment, players should send their registration details directly to Arvind Mhamal.
The current Chess-Results listing publishes the following entry-fee information:
| Player Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Unrated | ₹3,000 |
| Rated 1400–1599 | ₹2,100 |
Chess-Results also lists a ₹1,400 rated-player fee under the label “Rated (2000)”. However, the current listing does not clearly define the complete rating range for that fee. Therefore, affected players should confirm the applicable category directly with the organizer before paying.
For registration and payment details, contact:
Arvind Mhamal: +91 94223 86547
Dattaram Pinge: +91 98221 57208
Pallavi Kakodkar: +91 98221 39237
👤 Organizer
Organizer Name: Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association
Contact Person: Arvind Mhamal
Phone: +91 94223 86547
📍 Venue
Rajaram Smruti Sabhagruha, Gomantak Maratha Samaj – Swami Vivekanand Road, Altinho, Panaji, Goa 403001, India
The playing hall is located on the third floor of the Dayanand Smriti building at Gomantak Maratha Samaj. The venue stands on Swami Vivekanand Road in the Altinho area of Panaji.
Rajaram Smruti Sabhagruha has previously hosted major chess events organized by Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association. Therefore, returning players may already know the location from earlier Goa tournaments.
🚆 How to Get There
By air: Goa International Airport at Dabolim serves domestic and international flights and lies approximately 25–30 km from Panaji. From the airport, players can continue to Panaji by prepaid taxi, app-based cab or other road transport.
By train: Panaji does not have its own railway station. Karmali Railway Station, approximately 14 km from Panaji, is the nearest rail option for many services. Players can continue from Karmali by taxi or other local transport.
By road: Panaji has strong road and bus connections with other parts of Goa and neighbouring states. Once in the city, use Gomantak Maratha Samaj Hall, Swami Vivekanand Road, Altinho, Panaji 403001 as the destination.
ℹ️ Other Information
The tournament is officially registered with FIDE under Event ID 496022. The current FIDE entry lists Panaji as the host city and confirms the standard time control, nine-round format and November 15–20 dates.
The organizer has also opened the Chess-Results starting list well before the event. Consequently, players can follow registrations there as the field develops and later use the same page for pairings and results.
The full tournament brochure has not yet been published. Players should therefore check Chess-Results again before finalizing travel or payment, especially for the complete prize distribution, detailed round schedule and any additional registration conditions.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $4,280
Organizer
♟️ About Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association
Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association (TTCA) is an established chess organization serving Tiswadi taluka and the Panaji area of Goa, India. The association organizes competitive chess under the wider structure of the Goa Chess Association. Its activities range from local and state championships to major FIDE-rated tournaments. Over the years, TTCA has worked with schools, community organizations, sponsors, arbiters, and chess authorities to provide regular competitive opportunities for players from Goa and other parts of India.
The association has developed a strong presence in Panaji, where many of its important competitions have taken place. Its events have used several established venues in the city and surrounding area, including the Institute Menezes Braganza Hall and facilities of the Gomantak Maratha Samaj. As a result, TTCA has built a broad tournament program covering classical, rapid, blitz, junior, women’s, and state-selection events.
Experienced chess officials are closely involved in TTCA’s tournament operations. International Arbiter Arvind Mhamal serves as Secretary of Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association and frequently works as an arbiter and tournament contact. Dattaram Pinge serves as Treasurer and is also regularly involved in tournament administration. In addition, TTCA works closely with officials of the Goa Chess Association when staging major rated events and state competitions.
🏆 Tournaments & Chess Activities
One of TTCA’s principal recurring competitions is the Late Shri Vasudeva V Dempo Memorial FIDE Rating Chess Tournament. The event has developed into an important part of the association’s tournament program and regularly attracts players from Goa as well as other Indian states. Previous editions have included titled players and large fields of rated and unrated competitors.
The association is organizing the Late Shri Vasudeva V Dempo Memorial FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2026 from November 15–20, 2026, in Panaji. The tournament features nine FIDE-rated classical rounds under the Swiss system and offers a published cash prize fund of ₹410,000. Mahesh Candolkar serves as Tournament Director, while IA Arvind Mhamal leads the arbiting team as Chief Arbiter.
TTCA’s activities extend beyond the Dempo Memorial. The association has organized the TTCA All-India FIDE Rating Open, rapid and blitz tournaments, Goa State Championships, and other competitive events. The 3rd TTCA Rating Open in 2022 attracted 238 players from several Indian states and included International Masters. Consequently, TTCA has established a tournament structure that serves both local players and competitors travelling to Goa for rated chess.
🌱 Junior Chess & Development
Junior chess forms an important part of TTCA’s activities. The association regularly organizes state championships and selection tournaments for younger age groups, including Under-11, Under-13, and Under-15 competitions. These events provide structured competitive experience and can also help determine Goa representatives for national-level championships.
TTCA has also supported chess development outside formal tournament play. The association has conducted chess coaching activities and worked with educational institutions in the Tiswadi area. In 2024, TTCA joined the Goa Chess Association and All India Chess Federation in a Chess in School initiative at Mushtifund Primary School. Therefore, its development work combines competitive tournaments with introductory chess education and school-based activities.
Women’s chess is another continuing part of the association’s program. TTCA organizes the Late Shripad V. Kamat Tarcar & Late Anusuya S. Kamat Tarcar Memorial Women’s State Chess Championship-cum-Selection Tournament. The competition provides an important state-level platform for female players while also supporting the selection pathway for higher-level events.
📚 History & Development
Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association has a documented record of organized chess activity in Goa extending over many years. During this period, it has staged state championships, open rating events, memorial tournaments, junior competitions, women’s championships, coaching activities, and collaborative events with other organizations.
Its tournaments regularly involve qualified FIDE arbiters and attract players from outside Goa. Therefore, the association provides an important link between the local chess community and the wider Indian tournament circuit. Its program combines competitive opportunities for experienced players with development pathways for juniors and newer participants.
TTCA has also taken part in recognizing important achievements in Goan chess. In 2017, the association organized a felicitation for Grandmaster Anurag Mhamal, Goa’s first Grandmaster. Meanwhile, its continuing cooperation with the Goa Chess Association, schools, sponsors, and local chess supporters helps sustain a varied calendar of chess activity in Tiswadi and Panaji.
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