For those unfamiliar with the concept, a chess solving contest is quite different from a regular chess tournament. Instead of facing an opponent across the board, participants are presented with a set of carefully composed chess problems and studies, and have a fixed amount of time to discover the solutions. It is a test not only of calculation, but also of imagination, pattern recognition and, often, sheer perseverance.
In April this year, the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC) awarded ChessBase India a grant to promote chess solving in India. We have already organised events in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Chennai, and, most recently, Ichalkaranji, with the support of this fund. And this month promises to be a particular highlight in this initiative, with back-to-back contests planned — first in Jabalpur, in collaboration with Chess Community Jabalpur, and then in Delhi NCR, with Chess Coffee Connect.
Jabalpur — The Debut Event
The action begins in Jabalpur on Friday, October 9, with what promises to be a landmark occasion for chess solving in the city. Organised jointly by ChessBase India and Chess Community Jabalpur, this will be the first chess solving contest to be held in Jabalpur, though not the first in Madhya Pradesh, which has already hosted International Solving Contests in Indore and Bhopal.
The contest will be held at South Avenue Mall, Jabalpur, and will begin at 11:00 AM.
The competition carries a total prize pool of ₹5,000, divided equally between the Open and Women’s sections, as follows:
Open Category — ₹2,500
1st: ₹1,200
2nd: ₹800
3rd: ₹500
Medals for the Top 10Women’s Category — ₹2,500
1st: ₹1,200
2nd: ₹800
3rd: ₹500
Medals for the Top 3
In addition, there will be gifts for the winners and e-certificates for all participants.
Format: Participants will have 150 minutes to solve 8–10 compositions, featuring a mix of mating problems and endgame studies. Here’s a little trailer for what lies ahead!
Think you’re up for the challenge? Register now! The entry fee is just ₹100.
Secure your spotDelhi NCR — Once More Unto the Breach!
Unlike Jabalpur, NCR is no stranger to solving contests. Chess fans from Delhi, Noida, and Gurgaon have already had the (mis)fortune of pitting their wits against the deviousness of chess composers. The most recent such (mis)adventure was the Dr Manikumar Chess Solving Cup, held in June!
Once More Unto the Breach, indeed! On October 10, Saturday, two separate events will take place across the region.
The first is a three-venue chess solving contest, held simultaneously at Noida, West Delhi and South Delhi. It is one single contest taking place at three different venues, with two categories — Juniors and Open — and a total prize fund of ₹15,000. Here, the solving contest is the main attraction: participants will first take on the compositions before winding down with a 10+0 rapid chess tournament.
Gurgaon, meanwhile, will host a separate, slightly shorter solving event. The day will begin with a rapid chess tournament played at a time control of 25 minutes + 5 seconds per move. This will be followed by a 90-minute chess solving contest with a prize pool of ₹5,000 — a compact version of the longer solving challenge being held at the other three NCR venues, again with two categories: Open and Juniors.
Here are the locations and timings:
NOIDA - Vintage Cottage Cafe, Sector 122
🧩 Puzzles: 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
♟️ Rapid: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
WEST DELHI - Spezia Bistro, DLF Midtown Plaza Moti Nagar
🧩 Puzzles: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
♟️ Rapid: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
SOUTH DELHI - ShellBeacon Patio Cafe, Hauz Khas
🧩 Puzzles: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
♟️ Rapid: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
GURGAON, Melange Hotel
♟️ SRCA RAPID PLAY | Rapid 25+5 | 5 Rounds | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🧩 CHESS SOLVING CUP | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Format: Participants in the Open section can expect 8–10 positions, featuring a mix of chess problems and studies, while the Junior section will consist of 6 positions. There will be no helpmates or selfmates this time, only conventional mating problems and endgames.
Register for Delhi or NoidaRegister for GurgaonGeneral Instructions
Please reach the venue at least 10 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.
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.
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 studies, give all moves up to an obvious win or draw.
Contact
For technical queries regarding the competition, what to expect, or how to prepare, you may reach out to Satanick, the event director, on WhatsApp at +917908245176
