Shri Dhanpat Rai Sachdeva Memorial International Chess Festival 2026 runs from May 17-24, 2026 in New Delhi, India. This is a chess tournament in New Delhi, India, in 2026. The festival takes place at Marina Dreams Banquets, Wazirpur, New Delhi and combines two separate FIDE-rated events under one banner.

The first event is the Open FIDE Rated International Classical Chess Tournament, scheduled for May 17-21 with a ₹14,01,000 prize fund. The second event is the Below 1800 FIDE Rated International Classical Chess Tournament, scheduled for May 22-24 with a ₹13,21,000 prize fund. Together, the festival publishes a total cash prize fund of ₹27,22,000, which is approximately USD 29,250.

The festival gives players two strong options in one venue. On one side, the Open section offers a longer five-day schedule and a much deeper top prize. On the other side, the Below 1800 section targets a broader rating band with its own large prize structure. As a result, the event stands out as one of the more ambitious multi-section chess festivals in India in May 2026.

🏁 Event Details

The confirmed festival details are below.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The festival uses two different published time controls. The Open tournament uses 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. Meanwhile, the Below 1800 tournament uses 30 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. Both events run as 9-round Swiss tournaments.

The Open event runs across five days, so it gives players a more traditional multi-day classical structure. By contrast, the Below 1800 section compresses nine rounds into three days. Even so, it still offers a full Swiss schedule with its own inauguration, prize ceremony, and departure window.

💰 Prize Fund

The festival publishes a combined ₹27,22,000 cash prize fund. Moreover, both sections also include category prizes and a wide spread of youth and special awards. Consequently, the overall reward structure reaches far beyond just the top finishers.

The confirmed main prizes are below.

The Open section also adds rating prizes for Below 1950, Below 1750, and Below 1550, all including unrated players. In addition, it offers distinguished-category prizes for unrated players, female players, veteran 55+ players, and specially abled players, plus boys’ and girls’ age-category prizes in U14, U12, U10, and U8. The festival also advertises special awards for best in Delhi, best in U.P., best in Agra, best academy, and best school across several NCR locations.

The Below 1800 section follows a similar structure. It adds rating prizes for Below 1700, Below 1600, and Below 1500, again including unrated players. Furthermore, it includes distinguished-category prizes for unrated players, female players, veteran 55+ players, and specially abled players, along with the same boys’ and girls’ age-category framework and the same school and academy awards.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The festival divides play into two separate events rather than a single merged field. Therefore, players can choose the section that best fits their rating and tournament goals.

📅 Schedule

The official schedule below is split by section for easier reading.

Open tournament schedule:

Below 1800 tournament schedule:

📝 Registration

The published fee structure is detailed and clearly split between members and non-members. In addition, the festival offers a combined-entry option for players who want to play both sections. A ₹500 late fee applies after May 11, 2026.

The official fee matrix is below.

The prospectus also lists several concessions. Titled players receive 100% entry-fee concession, and GM/WGM players may also receive double-sharing accommodation on a first-come, first-served basis until April 15, 2026. Meanwhile, specially abled players receive 50% concession, and several groups receive ₹500 concession, including armed forces personnel, players from Agra and the North Eastern states, and senior citizens aged 60–75. Players aged 75 and above receive 50% concession.

Players who qualify for those special categories must register through CircleChess or contact the official tournament email directly. The published registration links are raisahabcouncil.com/upcoming-events and circlechess.com/registration?id=49971. In addition, the festival advertises a 3-month no-cost EMI option for entry fees.

👤 Organizer

Rai Sahab Council for Sports and Education organizes the festival and runs registration through the official tournament email and tournament support team. The event also uses a structured organizing setup with separate roles for tournament direction, technical support, and local administrative support.

Phone: +91 9837049007
Email: events.raisahab@gmail.com

📍 Venue

Marina Dreams Banquets, Wazirpur, New Delhi, India

The festival uses Marina Dreams Banquets as its fixed playing venue for both sections. Moreover, the prospectus highlights luxurious playing conditions, comfortable seating, air-conditioned playing halls, hygienic washrooms, and a separate AC waiting hall for parents and accompanying persons.

Players must arrange accommodation on their own. However, the prospectus lists several nearby hotel options for reference only, including Hotel Golden Keys Inn, Red Coral @ Netaji Subhash Palace Metro, J60 Suites, Hotel Luxury Inn, Hotel White Saffron, and Hotel Dev Palace, along with approximate distances from the venue.

🚗 How to Get There

The venue sits in Wazirpur in North Delhi. The prospectus identifies Shalimar Bagh (Pink Line) as the nearest metro station to the venue. In addition, it shows the route from RK Ashram Marg (Blue Line) for players arriving from the Paharganj side of the city.

Because the Open section starts on May 17 and the Below 1800 section starts on May 22, players should plan travel around the section they enter rather than the full festival week. The venue works especially well for players staying in nearby North Delhi hotel areas.

It is a major Delhi festival for players who want a large prize fund, two clear section choices, and a well-developed tournament setup.