GMs Wanted! Pune’s Historic 1st Grandmaster Round Robin is Searching for 1 Indian and 1 Foreign GM
The city of Pune is gearing up for a historic chess event. Organised by the Buddhibal Kreeda Trust (BKT), Pune's first-ever Grandmaster Norm Round Robin Tournament is officially scheduled to take place from June 30th to July 8th, 2026. To complete this elite field and optimise the norm opportunities for the contenders, the organisers are currently seeking two Grandmasters to join the field. Organisers are offering very good conditions for GM title players along with suitable appearance Money. Apply Fast!!
The Search is On: Opportunities for 1 Indian GM and 1 Foreign GM
While the core line-up is rapidly taking shape, the organisers have an exciting opportunity available. The tournament is actively searching for one Indian Grandmaster and one Foreign Grandmaster to complete the field. If you are looking for an excellently organised event with top-tier conditions, this is your call to action.
1 Indian Grandmaster: Looking for a GM with a FIDE rating between 2530 and 2570.
1 Foreign Grandmaster: Looking for a GM with a FIDE rating of 2450+.
The Vision
For months, Shri Prakash Kunte, Trustee of Buddhibal Kreeda Trust, was considering a world-class round-robin tournament in Pune to provide local and national talent with a premium platform to score norms. That vision is now a reality, and the event will be hosted at the luxurious Fern Habitat in Mundhwa, Pune, which serves as the official Venue Partner.
Premium Hospitality & Conditions Offered:
The Buddhibal Kreeda Trust is ensuring world-class hospitality for the invited Grandmasters:
Stay & Food: Single room accommodation at the venue with 3 premium meals a day.
Travel: To-and-fro domestic airfare from any major Indian metro city, along with local transfers.
Financials: A highly competitive appearance fee based on your current rating.
Prizes: Full eligibility to play for the top cash prizes (Total prize fund of ₹2,50,000, with ₹1,00,000 reserved for 1st place).
Current Confirmed Player List
Player Name | FIDE Rating | |
1 | S Ashwath | 2507 |
2 | Kushagra Mohan | 2456 |
3 | Aleksei Aleksandrov | 2433 |
4 | Advik Agarwal | 2382 |
5 | L M S T De Silva | 2382 |
Tournament Details at a Glance
Dates: 30 June – 8 July 2026
Format: 9-Round FIDE Round Robin
Time Control: 90 mins + 30 seconds increment from move 1.
Fighting Chess: No draw agreements allowed before move 30.
Partners: ChessBase India, Kunte’s Chess Academy, and Kinder Sports.
How to Apply
Grandmasters who meet the rating criteria and wish to participate are invited to contact the organising team directly:
Aniket Wagle: +91 90282 68847 | wagle.aniket@gmail.com
IM Abhishek Kelkar (Tournament Co-ordinator): +91 98607 98978 | abhishekkelkar1992@gmail.com
