Ananthi Chess Academy invites you to 13th National Amateur Championships 2026
The 13th National Amateur Chess Championships 2026 will take place from 25th February to 1st March at Adhiyamaan College of Engineering in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. Ananthi Chess Academy, the organizer of the event, invites you to take part in it. There are three rating categories - Below 2300, 2000 and 1700 in both Open and Women section. The total prize fund is ₹300000. The top three prizes are ₹20000 + trophy, ₹17000 and ₹14000 in U2300 Open, ₹16000 + trophy, ₹14000 and ₹10000 in Under-2000 Open, ₹12000 + trophy, ₹9000 and ₹7000 in U1700 Open. For Women, the top three prizes are ₹10000 + trophy, ₹6000 and ₹5000 in U2300 and U2000 Women, ₹8000 + trophy, ₹6000 and ₹5000 in U1700 Women. Last date to receive entry is 11th February 2026. Several Indians have won various medals at World and Asian Amateur events. This is the gateway to those events. Read the article to know more about the events. Photo: Tournament circular
Participate in the National Amateur Chess Championships – Become A World Champion Later
The National Amateur Chess Championship is a unique opportunity to every one – be it a seven year old youngster or an eighty year oldie of any gender to showcase their skills. The participation in the championship provides a platform to them to fight with opponents of nearly equal strength and enhance their chances to play and win the national, Asian and world titles.
The 13th National Amateur Chess Championships will be organized by Ananthi Chess Academy, in association with Viyugam Chess Academy, on behalf of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, at Adhiyaman College of Engineering, Hosur, Tamil Nadu, which is 40 km away from Bengaluru, from 25th February to 1st March.
The championship has a wide range of opportunity for players to play in the rating categories, below 2300, 2000 and 1700 in both open and women sections.
Eligibility
To encourage the participation of many players, All India Chess Federation has slashed the entry fee from the regular ones for nationals to just two thousand rupees.
Adhiyaman College of Engineering, Hosur, Ananthi Chess Academy, Madurai and Viyugam Chess Academy, Hosur have a long lasting relationship for many years in successfully organizing many international rating tournaments, national and state championships.
Moreover, the organisers have come forward to offer dormitory lodging with bed and pillow at an affordable cost of four hundred rupees per day per person.
P Pragadesh, FA, holding an Associate Organiser title, an IO elect, joint secretary of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association and an alumnus of Adhiyman College of Engineering is the tournament director and the key person behind the tournament, together with the organizing secretary N Lokesh, who had a peak rating of 2290. Pragadesh is well known for his organizing ability and he recently organized the Athens of the East GM norm tournament and the chess festival, wherein an unprecedented eight cars, three bikes, one hundred bicycles and 50 chess clocks were provided, apart from 48 lacs rupees cash prizes.
In the past, after participating in the National Amateur championships, many players have won the gold and silver medals in the World and Asian Amateur championships.
In the World Amateur Championships 2025, Anshu Kumar Pathak won silver medal and Disha U A won Bronze medal in the under 1700 categories in the open and women categories.
Kumaresh A of Hatsun Chess Academy, Sivakasi was second in the World Amateur (below 2300 category) 2024. He also won the Asian Amateur in 2023.
Peter Anand of Puducherry and Nimmy A G of Kerala won Gold and Silver medals respectively in the World Amateur championships 2021. Nimmy, a doctorate in Commerce and currently a professor, later on became the first WIM from Kerala.
A beautiful view of the Adhiyaman College of Engineering, Hosur, the fast expanding industrial city.
When so many Indian players have won medals in the World Amateur championship, why don’t you try your skill there and also the Asian event, for which you have to participate in the National Amateur championships.
Apply immediately to aicfnationalentries@gmail.com.
Last date for entries: 11th February
With late fee of Rs.250 till 18th February.
Contact details
About the Author
Prof. Rathinam Anantharam is an A-grade international arbiter. Member of FIDE Arbiters’ Commission, Chairman of Titles Commission in All India Chess Federation, Vice President of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, Chief Arbiter for six world championships, many Asian, International and National Championships.
The report was edited by Shahid Ahmed
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