2nd FIDE-Rated Open Rapid Chess Tournament 2026
Chess Club, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur)
📌About the Event
The 2nd FIDE-Rated Open Rapid Chess Tournament 2026, organised by the Chess Club of IIT Kanpur, is a national-level chess competition bringing together aspiring players, experienced competitors, and chess enthusiasts from across India. Scheduled for 25 October 2026, the tournament will feature nine competitive rounds under international FIDE regulations, offering participants an opportunity to compete in an officially rated chess event. With a total prize pool of ₹2,50,000, the tournament aims to promote competitive chess, strategic thinking, and sporting excellence. Its inaugural edition attracted 336 participants, setting the stage for an exciting second edition.
ℹ️ Event Details
- Organiser: Chess Club, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur
- Mode of Conduct: Offline (in-person)
- Venue: Yoga Hall, New Students’ Activity Centre (SAC), IIT Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Event Type: National-level FIDE-rated rapid chess tournament
- Tournament Format: Nine-round Swiss System
- Time Control: 10 minutes per player with a 5-second increment per move
- Participation: Open to eligible chess players from across India
📅 Important Dates
- Official Announcement: 12 October 2026
- Registration Deadline: 22 October 2026
- Tournament Date: 25 October 2026
- Reporting/Starting Time: 9:00 AM onwards
- Tournament Duration: One day
🎯 Eligibility & Rules
- Eligibilty:
- The tournament welcomes eligible chess players from across India, including rated and unrated participants.
- All participants must possess valid All India Chess Federation (AICF) registration for the 2026–27 season.
- Players representing Uttar Pradesh must additionally have valid Uttar Pradesh Chess Sports Association (UPCSA) registration.
- Participants of different age groups and playing strengths can compete, subject to the tournament’s registration requirements.
- Grandmasters (GMs), Women Grandmasters (WGMs), International Masters (IMs), and Women International Masters (WIMs) are eligible for free entry.
🏆 Benefits for the Participants
- Overall Prize Pool: ₹2,50,000
- Main Cash Prizes
- 1st Position: ₹45,000
- 2nd Position: ₹30,000
- 3rd Position: ₹20,000
- Additional Cash Prizes: Awarded to eligible players finishing up to the 25th position.