New Delhi [India], April 06: India’s expanding competitive chess circuit is set to witness another significant addition this summer, as the Rai Sahab Council for Sports and Education prepares to host the Shri Dhanpat Rai Sachdeva Memorial Classical Chess Festival in May 2026. The upcoming championship has drawn early attention within the chess fraternity after receiving endorsement from Pravin Thipsay, Arjuna Awardee and widely recognised as India’s third Grandmaster — a development that has added credibility and anticipation around the tournament.
Scheduled to be conducted at the centrally located Marina Dreams Banquets, Delhi, the event will unfold in two competitive segments. The Open category will take place from 17th to 21st May, followed by the B-1800 rating category from 22nd to 24th May, offering structured opportunities for both seasoned competitors and emerging rated players.
With a total prize fund of ₹27,22,000 and 514 prizes on offer, organisers are positioning the championship as one of the more substantial grassroots competitive platforms on the regional calendar. The tournament will follow classical time controls of 90 minutes plus 30-second increment in the Open section, while the B-1800 segment will be played with a 30 minutes plus 30-second increment format, ensuring competitive integrity alongside accessibility for a wider player base.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of the Council’s steadily growing tournament footprint. Its previous editions in 2024 and 2025 recorded encouraging participation trends, drawing players across multiple age groups and rating brackets. Those events not only facilitated competitive exposure but also contributed to structured recognition pathways, with several performers progressing to higher-level district and national circuits.
Observers noted that beyond player participation, the championships demonstrated increasing institutional engagement. Families, schools, and chess academies were actively involved, contributing to consistent footfall and sustained event-day vibrancy. Supporting organisations and partners associated with earlier editions benefitted from visible brand integration across venue touchpoints, official communication assets, and participant engagement formats — factors that have contributed to the event’s growing reputation as an organised and credible sporting platform.
The endorsement from Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay is being viewed within the chess community as a strong validation of the tournament’s intent to maintain professional standards while expanding its reach. His association underscores the broader movement within Indian chess to strengthen competitive ecosystems beyond elite circuits by nurturing well-managed open platforms.
Upon commencement of registrations, 7 Chess Masters have already registered for the event with more than 50 Grandmasters/International Masters expected to register for the event. With past execution records, an enhanced prize structure, and growing community awareness, the 2026 Delhi edition of the International Chess Festival is likely to attract robust participation while reinforcing the Council’s role in shaping accessible yet professionally curated chess experiences.
The directors of the Council, Capt Dhaval Sachdeva(Retd) and Pulkit Sachdeva are confident that in a country witnessing a renewed chess boom, tournaments that combine competitive seriousness with inclusive outreach are increasingly becoming focal points for talent discovery, institutional collaboration, and ecosystem growth. The forthcoming festival appears poised to build on that momentum — quietly strengthening both participation pipelines and stakeholder confidence.
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