India's first GM norm closed tournament
The First Chola Chess International Grandmasters Norm Round Robin Tournament 2026 is organized by Chola Chess, an initiative of Chola Foundation, in partnership with Chess Gurukul. 10 Players will play a single round against each other in this 9-day round-robin format event. The objective of the event is to provide a strong platform to facilitate Indian players to get a chance to make GM norms playing within India.
Not all the players were present in the opening ceremony yesterday, so during the drawing of lots, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association secretary and 2 people from chola chess team joined in for the draw of lots. Another important piece of information about the event is: 6/9 points are needed for GM norm for all except Aronyak Ghosh and Vaz Ethan; they will need 6.5/9 points to make GM norm.
Check out some photos from the wonderful venue
Photos from the opening ceremony and drawing of lots
Starting rank of players
No. |
| Name | FideID | FED | Rtg | sex | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 | IM | IND | 2533 | ||||
5 | IM | IND | 2518 | ||||
2 | GM | PAR | 2511 | ||||
3 | GM | KAZ | 2500 | ||||
1 | GM | FRA | 2499 | ||||
4 | GM | FRA | 2486 | ||||
9 | IM | IND | 2473 | ||||
10 | IM | IND | 2443 | ||||
7 | IM | IND | 2418 | ||||
6 | IM | IND | 2381 |
Round 1 Pairing
Bo. | FED | Rtg |
| White | Result | Black |
| FED | Rtg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | FRA | 2499 | GM | IM | IND | 2443 | ||||||
2 | PAR | 2511 | GM | IM | IND | 2473 | ||||||
3 | KAZ | 2500 | GM | IM | IND | 2533 | ||||||
4 | FRA | 2486 | GM | IM | IND | 2418 | ||||||
5 | IND | 2518 | IM | IM | IND | 2381 |
Tournament details
Date: 3rd to 11th February 2026
Format: Classical
Rounds: 9
Time control: 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move from move no.1
Default time: 15 Minutes
Venue: Chola Chess, B Block, 4th Floor, Mena Kampala Arcade Complex,113, Sir Thyagaraya Rd, T. Nagar, Chennai – 600017
Prize fund
The total prize fund is Rs. 2,50,000, distributed as follows (Indian tax regulations will apply):
1st Prize: Rs. 1,00,000
2nd Prize: Rs. 75,000
3rd Prize: Rs. 50,000
4th Prize: Rs. 25,000
