641 young chess players to compete in 39th National Under-11 Open and Girls FIDE-rated Chess Championship in Mangaluru from Sunday

In all, 641 young chess players representing various States and Union Territories across India will take part in the 39th National Under-11 Open and Girls FIDE-rated Chess Championship 2026, which will begin here on Sunday and continue for a week.

The championship, to be held at Urwa Indoor Stadium, will be inaugurated at 11.15 a.m. and conclude on August 8.

Organised by the Dakshina Kannada Chess Association (DKCA) under the aegis of the All-India Chess Federation (AICF) and the Karnataka State Chess Association (KSCA), the championship aims to provide a national platform for emerging chess talents while promoting the game among children and strengthening Karnataka’s reputation as a leading destination for national sporting events, according to Amarshree Amarnath Shetty, president of the DKCA.

The DKCA has made comprehensive arrangements for the successful conduct of the championship, including world-class playing conditions, accommodation, medical facilities and live telecast of games, Dr. Shetty said in a release.

Several distinguished dignitaries from the government, sports organisations, sponsoring institutions and the chess fraternity will grace the inaugural function and formally declare the championship open.

The tournament is supported by New Mangalore Port Authority, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India.

Dr. Shetty said there are two categories of entry. Ordinary entry is open only to players sent by the respective State and Union Territory chess associations. Each State and Union territory can send a maximum of four players — two boys and two girls. Those players should be the respective State champions. The State and Union Territory associations should be affiliated to the All-India Chess Federation. Special entries are open to all.

She said a lump sum of ₹1,500 would be paid by the organiser towards boarding expenses, only to affiliated State and Union Territory associations for seeded and selected players under the ordinary entry category.

She said no participant should leave the venue before the prize distribution function without the permission of the chief arbiter. Participants disregarding this rule will be suspended for one year.