1. 21st Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament in india
- Dates: June 7–14, 2025
- Venue: Tivoli Gardens, Chattarpur, New Delhi
- Prize Pool: ₹1.21 crore
- Highlights: This tournament, part of the 2025 FIDE Circuit, is set to feature 20 grandmasters and over 2,500 participants from 15 countries, making it one of the most significant chess events in India this year.
Also Read: How Kingdom of Chess Prepares Students for FIDE Rating and Chess Tournaments
2. 24th IPCA World Chess Championship
- Dates: July 21–31, 2025
- Venue: International Centre, Dona Paula, Goa
- Highlights: Organized by the Chess Federation for Physically Disabled under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation, this championship promotes inclusivity by providing a platform for differently-abled players worldwide.
3. Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025
- Dates: August 6–15, 2025
- Venue: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Highlights: A collaboration between the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association and Quantbox Research, this FIDE-rated tournament aims to reinforce Chennai’s status as a global chess hub by bringing together elite grandmasters and rising stars.
4. Kerala International Grandmaster Chess Tournament
- Dates: August 30 – September 6, 2025
- Venue: Trivandrum, Kerala
- Highlights: This event is expected to attract 150 players, offering a competitive platform for both national and international participants.
Notable Regional and Open Tournaments
1. 1st God’s Own Country Grandmaster International Open Chess Tournament
- Dates: April 30 – May 7, 2025
- Venue: Kottayam, Kerala
- Prize Pool: ₹20 lakh (Category A), ₹10 lakh (Category B)
- Highlights: Organized by the Kottayam Chess Academy, this tournament features multiple categories to accommodate players of varying ratings, with participation from over a dozen countries.
2. 16th KIIT International Chess Festival
- Dates: May 9–16, 2025
- Venue: Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Prize Pool: ₹60 lakh
- Highlights: One of India’s largest open tournaments, the KIIT Chess Festival offers multiple categories, attracting players nationwide and providing a platform for emerging talents.
3. Velammal Ponneri International FIDE Rated Classical Open
- Dates: May 8–11, 2025
- Venue: Panjetty, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Prize Pool: ₹4 lakh
- Highlights: This event encourages participation from emerging talents, offering a competitive environment for players to enhance their skills.
Special Events and Initiatives
1. FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2024–25 (Stage 5)
- Dates: April 14–25, 2025
- Venue: Pune, Maharashtra
- Highlights: As part of the prestigious Women’s Grand Prix series, this event features top female players competing for qualification to the Candidates Tournament.
Also Read: Women’s World Chess Championship
2. Freestyle Chess Global Tour (India Leg)
- Dates: To Be Announced
- Venue: To Be Announced
- Highlights: An innovative format endorsed by Magnus Carlsen, blending traditional and randomized elements to test players’ adaptability.
Also Read: What is Freestyle Chess and How It is different from Traditional Chess?
At last
India’s chess calendar in 2025 is rich with opportunities for players across all levels. From grandmasters to budding enthusiasts, these tournaments offer platforms to showcase talent, gain experience, and be part of the country’s thriving chess community.
Many prestigious tournament organizers like kingdomofchess are yet to announce the date of their upcoming chess tournament. Their past edition – (Vaibhav Gautam wins 2nd Kingdom of Chess Below 1800 Rating Tournament 2024 – ChessBase India)
Stay updated with the All-India Chess Federation’s official calendar for the latest information on upcoming events.
