Chennai to Host Inaugural Chola Chess Open International GM Tournament

CHENNAI — The inaugural Chola Chess Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament is set to open its doors on 30 October 2026 at the ITC Welcom Hotel on Cathedral Road, Chennai, running through 7 November 2026. The FIDE-rated event will gather 80 players, 75 of whom carry a FIDE title and none rated below 2250.

The field boasts significant Indian strength with 20 home-grown grandmasters, alongside 12 grandmasters representing other federations. The international mix and high average rating make the event particularly attractive for players chasing norms — Grandmaster, International Master, Woman Grandmaster, and Woman International Master titles are all on offer.

A Norms-Ready Field

FIDE title regulations demand a balanced mix of federations and a minimum standard of opponent quality. With 12 foreign grandmasters in an 80-player field and a heavily titled roster, the Chola Chess Open satisfies those criteria cleanly, giving contenders the clearest possible path toward norm requirements.

Key Highlights

• Dates: 30 October – 7 November 2026
• Venue: ITC Welcom Hotel, Cathedral Road, Chennai
• 80 players total, 75 holding a FIDE title
• Minimum FIDE rating: 2250
• 20 Indian grandmasters + 12 foreign grandmasters
• GM, IM, WGM, and WIM norms available

The tournament is backed by the Chola Foundation, which has emphasised that sustained access to world-class competitive play is essential for India’s continued rise as a global chess powerhouse. The foundation’s investment in events like this aims to deepen the domestic competitive ecosystem and accelerate the development of the next generation of champions.

With the start date just days away, all eyes turn to Chennai as the city prepares to host what promises to be a strong and tightly contested opening edition of the Chola Chess Open.

Source

This report is based on information published by Sportstar (The Hindu) — Chess.

Official source: https://sportstar.thehindu.com/other-sports/indian-sports-wrap-october-25-today-sunday-latest-updates-highlights-scores-results/article71623180.ece