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Ken Chess Academy and Lions Club of Ichalkaranji to Organise the 1st Ken Chess Solving Cup

by Satanick Mukhuty - 30/08/2026

In April 2026, ChessBase India was awarded a grant by the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC) to promote the art of chess composition across India. A portion of this fund has already helped us conduct solving competitions in Chennai, Delhi NCR, and Mumbai — and now, the journey takes us to Ichalkaranji, in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district. On 5 September, Ken Chess Academy and Lions Club of Ichalkaranji, in association with ChessBase India, is set to host the city's first-ever chess solving contest. Details follow in this article.

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Ichalkaranji recently celebrated the spirit of Independence with a free chess camp organised in association with ChessBase India. Now, building on that momentum, we are taking our chess initiatives in the city a step further with a chess solving competition — inviting enthusiasts to experience a different and fascinating side of the game: the world of chess compositions and creative problem-solving.

The event will be organised by Ken Chess Academy and Lions Club of Ichalkaranji, spearheaded by Rohit Pol, who will oversee the on-site organisation and logistics. Satanick Mukhuty of ChessBase India will serve as the director, assisting with the selection of compositions and the evaluation of solutions. The ₹5,000 prize pool is funded through the 2026 grant awarded to ChessBase India by the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC) for the promotion and development of chess solving as a sport in India.

Format

The event will feature two categories. The first, intended for stronger solvers, will consist of 8 compositions to be solved within an allotted time of 150 minutes. The second, designed for relatively less experienced solvers, will consist of 6 compositions, with a time limit of 90 minutes. Participants may enter only one category. Both categories will begin simultaneously; however, Category 2 will conclude one hour earlier.

Category 1 will feature the following types of compositions: two mate-in-2s (two-movers; #2), two mate-in-3 (three-mover; #3), one mate in four or more moves (more-mover; #n), and three endgame studies. On the other hand, Category 2 will have two mate-in-2s (two-movers; #2), one mate-in-3 (three-mover; #3), and three endgame studies (+/=).

Eligibility & Entry Fee

Everyone is welcome to participate, and there are no specific eligibility criteria. However, participants must be familiar with algebraic notation, as it is essential for recording their answers. Moreover, some prior experience in solving chess puzzles is desirable. The entry fee is ₹200 only.

Prizes

The total prize pool for the event is ₹5,000, of which ₹3,500 is allocated to Category 1 and ₹1,500 to Category 2. The top three solvers in each category, provided they achieve a score equivalent to correctly and completely solving at least two compositions, will receive the following prizes:

In Category 1

  • 🥇1st Place – ₹1,250

  • 🥈2nd Place – ₹1,150

  • 🥉3rd Place – ₹1,100

In Category 2

  • 🥇1st Place – ₹800

  • 🥈2nd Place – ₹400

  • 🥉3rd Place – ₹300

Venue & Timing

The event will take place from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm at the Late Balasaheb Datye Blood Centre, Datye Mala, Ichalkaranji.

Registration

Please fill in the required details in this Google Form below to register for the event. Payment can be made via the QR code provided in the form. Participants are requested to upload a screenshot of the payment in the designated field to complete the registration process.

Complimentary Awareness Webinars

Those who register before Wednesday can also join a free online complimentary session on problem-solving, to be held on Wednesday, September 2, at 8 pm IST, where the technical conventions of the contest will also be explained. Moreover, the solutions to all positions will be presented and explained in a separate online session on the day following the event, Sunday, September 6, at 8 pm IST.

General Instructions

  • Please reach the venue at least 15 minutes before the start of the event and confirm your attendance.

  • Remember to carry a pen.

  • Write your answers only on the designated answer sheet, and make sure to fill in your details (name, date of birth, etc.) in the space provided on it.

  • You may take the sheet containing the diagrams home afterwards.

  • Please do not use any unfair means during the event. Discussion with other participants, as well as the use of phones or other electronic devices, is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.

  • You will be provided with chess sets. You are free to set up the positions on the board and analyse them. You may also carry your own chess sets if you so wish, but it must be completely analog.

Technical Instructions

  • In all positions, White makes the first move. Hence, “#n” means White to play and mate in n, “+” denotes White to play and win, and “=” denotes White to play and draw.

  • All diagrams will be displayed from White’s perspective, with a1 located at the bottom-left corner.

  • Each correct and complete solution will be awarded 5 points. Thus, the maximum possible score in Category 1 is 40 points, while in Category 2 it is 30 points.

  • To earn full marks (5 points) for a mate-in-2 (#2), you only need to provide the correct key move, which is the first move of the solution.

  • For three- and more-movers, you must provide the key and all variations of full length up to White’s penultimate move. Black’s last move and White’s mating move need not be written.

  • For endgame studies, solvers must provide all moves up to the point at which the stipulated win or draw becomes obvious.

Results

The results table and the names of the prize winners will be emailed to all participants within a week. The prizes will be disbursed online.

Contact

For any enquiries, please feel free to contact Rohit Pol at +919657333926

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