Organised by IS Chess Centre, Cuttack
| Event Date | 26 – 30 March 2026 |
| Rounds / Time Control | 9 Rounds | 90 minutes with 30 seconds increment from move no.1 (90’+30″) |
| Venue | J.N. Indoor Stadium, Cuttack, Odisha |
| AICF Registration | https://prs.aicf.in/ |
| Registration | https://forms.gle/nKJkrvucoBjv9fiw7 |
| Entry Fee | Rapid: ₹ 1,000/- (One Thousand Only) |
The5th IS International OPEN FIDE Rated Chess Tournament 2026 was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Sri Jayanta Hota, Retd. Income-tax-Commissioner, Er Debabrata Bhatta, Secretary, All Odisha Chess Association, Sri Smruti Ranjan Das, Sri Asit Mukherjee, Adviser, Cuttack District Chess Association, Sri Manoj Kumar Pati, President, IS Chess Centre and Sri Manas Pani, Secretary, IS Chess Centre.
The aim of the IS Chess Centre is to provide chess coaching from the grass-root level and to organize chess events in the Rapid/Standard format at regular intervals. The 5th edition Classical event was the only platform in Odisha that offered Odisha Chess players the opportunity to participate in a pure classical Chess tournament. This event spanned 5 days, with a time control of 90 minutes plus 30-second increments from move number 1 and featured 9 rounds in a Swiss system league.
The tournament offered a total prize fund of ₹2,01,000/- and attracted 334 participants from eight states – Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal. The 149 Internationally rated players and 51 female participants. The event proved to be resounding success, setting new standards for the organisation of chess tournaments in Odisha. The coordinated efforts of the players, organiser and supporters ensured smooth conduct throughout. With increasing enthusiasm and continued support from the All Odisha Chess Association and IS Chess Centre, the tournament shows strong potential to develop into a major FIDE‑rated event in the coming years.
Finally, 15-year-old Master Lalit Ranjan Sahu of Odisha (Cuttack) beat the top seed Naveen K S, Tamil Nadu scored 8.0 points (7 win 2 draws) and clinched the Championship Trophy with a cash prize of ₹ 20,000/- cash. The tie-break decided the position of 1st Runner-up & 2nd Runner. The 2nd seed Sparsh Khandelwal of Chhattisgarh beat Shibantak Saha, West Bengal on 3rd board and scored 7.5 points (7-win 1 draw 1 loss) and became the 1st Runner-up with a cash prize of ₹15,000/-. The 2nd seed Sattwik Swain, Odisha (National Under 9 Champion 2025) drew with Abir Mitra of West Bengal become and scored 7.5 points (7-win 1 draw 1 loss) the 2nd Runner-up & bagged ₹12,500/- and trophy.
The Championship concluded with Valedictory ceremony-cum-Prize Distribution, at 06:30 P.M. on 30th March 2026. The Chief Guest was Sri Prabhat Biswal, Ex-MLA, Choudwar, Cuttack; Guest of Honour Er. Debabrata Bhatta, Secretary, All Odisha Chess Association,Guest of Honour, Chief SpeakerSri Sanjay Jena, Advocate, President, Manadi Development Association, Sri Himanshu Sekhar Sarangi; Sri Manoj Kumar Pati, President, IS Chess Centre; Shri Manas Pani, Secretary, IS Chess Centre, Sri Shankar Rao, Chess Coach, Sri Venkat Rao, Chess Coach graced the occasion of the last day and distribute the prizes. We had considerable support from the parents and guardians of the kid participants.
The Chief Arbiter, Suresh Chandra Sahoo, International Arbiter was efficiently supported by Deputy Chief IA Tapas Kumar Mohanty, IA Santosh Kumar Mohapatra, FA Suraj Kumar Moharana and SNA Dillip Kumar Rana from Odisha demonstrated his dedication and hard work, successfully achieving his FA Norm in this tournament. Recently, two Arbiters qualified in SNA Examination held at SOA Mrs. Sonali Das and Miss Allka Pawani have engaged in scoring and additional support during the event.
Thanks to the IS Chess Centre and All Odisha Chess Association for making such a tournament a Grand success, which will go a long way in creating awareness and popularising Chess in Odisha as well as India.
Contacts
Registration: 94372-08864 / 82806-38864
93376-81812 / 90907-29043
Accommodation: 94370-20288
If Required please Contact
IA Suresh Chandra Sahoo, 93370-33001, 97761-18644
