Sharp Minds on 64 Squares: Chennai’s Children’s Chess Tournament Returns!

by Satanick Mukhuty - 18/06/2025

The 8th edition of the 64 Squares Children’s Chess Tournament will be held at Chennai Citi Centre, Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, a prominent venue near the beach. The event will follow a rapid format with a time control of 15 minutes per player, without increment, and will run from 10 AM to 4 PM. Previous editions have featured open categories, with one such event offering a prize pool of ₹50,000, comprising 20 cash prizes and 3 awards for veteran players. The tournament regularly attracts a competitive field, including several FIDE-rated participants. The maximum number of entries this time is limited to 350. Further details follow in this article.

Chennai Gears Up for 8th Children’s Chess Tournament at Citi Centre

The 64 Squares Chess Academy in Chennai, led by Candidate Master S. C. Subramanian and renowned for nurturing players like Adhiban Baskaran and M. Shyam Sundar, is organising the 8th edition of its Children’s Chess Tournament this Saturday, 21st June 2025, at the Chennai Citi Centre, Mylapore. A day of sharp minds and quiet intensity awaits, as the city’s young talents prepare to take their places at the board in the rapid-format event, played with a time control of 15 minutes per player and no increment.

The first round of this one-day event is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM, with players competing across four age categories: Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, and Under-16. The tournament will feature a maximum of seven rounds, with 15 prizes for boys and 10 for girls in each category. The entry fee is ₹500 only.

The event is organised by Candidate Master and International Coach S. C. Subramanian. Interested participants may contact him at +91 91766 61411 for registration and further details.

Highlights from Earlier Tournaments:

The playing hall for the event. | Photo: S.C.Subramanian

Players in action! | Photo: S.C.Subramanian

Set just a breath away from the Marina Beach, the venue offers ample space and the perfect ambience for the battle of wits. | Photo: S.C.Subramanian

Winners of the February 2025 edition of the 64 Squares Children’s Chess Tournament, held at Chennai Citi Centre, with Chief Guest Mr Bharat Singh Chauhan — Chairman of the FIDE Advisory Board, Deputy President of the Asian Chess Federation, and Chairman of the Commonwealth Chess Association. | Photo: S.C.Subramanian

Winners of the 64 Squares Chess Tournament, held at Chennai Citi Centre, pictured with Chief Guest Mr K. V. Shantaram — former national player, FIDE Master, and former coach of the Indian team. | Photo: S.C.Subramanian