Organised by Master Chess Foundation + IIG Sports Academy
The top 2 from each category will represent Odisha in the forthcoming 39th National Under-9 Open & Girls Chess Championships 2026, will be held at forthcoming National (U-09) OPEN & GIRLS Chess Championships to be held at Jharkhand from 05th -11th July 2026. However, additional 3 entries in OPEN will be added because in 2025 Odisha got a GOLD in 38th National Under-9 OPEN Chess Championship 2025.
| Venue | KT Global School, Barunei Road, Khordha |
| Date | 1 – 5 May 2026 |
| Rounds/ Time Control | 8 Rounds, 60′ + 30″ |
| Register link | https://forms.gle/sn5zUuA5wKq65iuZ7 |
| Entry Fee | ₹ 600/- (Non Refundable) |
| Total Prize Fund | ₹ 10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only.) for each Category (OPEN & Girls) |
| National Selection from Odisha | OPEN: 2+3=5 GIRLS: 2 |
Congratulations!
| Category | Rank | Name | Rtg | District | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIRLS | 1 | Snehasmita Ram | 1424 | Cuttack | 7.0/8 |
| GIRLS | 2 | Devanshi Sahoo | 0 | Khordha | 7.0/8 |
| OPEN | 1 | Pragyan Mishra | 1605 | Khordha | 7.5/8 |
| OPEN | 2 | Pratyush Kumar | 1417 | Khordha | 7.0/8 |
| OPEN | 3 | Riyansh Agarwal | 0 | Sundargarh | 6.5/8 |
| OPEN | 4 | Mriyank Lenka | 0 | Jajpur | 6.0/8 |
| OPEN | 5 | Arpan Sahoo | 0 | Khordha | 6.0/8 |
Top 2 players from both the categories have been selected to represent Odisha in forthcoming 39th National Under 9 Boys & Girls Chess Championships 2026, which will be held at Jharkhand from 5-11 July 2026 (National circular not yet published). Additionally, Odisha was awarded three extra entries in the Open category, recognising the state’s outstanding performance in recent years, including a Gold Medal at the 38th National Under‑9 Open Chess Championship 2025.
The Dr Bishnu Charan Sethi Memorial Odisha State Under‑9 Open & Girls Chess Championships 2026 began on a high note, marked by enthusiasm, talent, and a strong commitment to nurturing young chess prodigies across the state. The prestigious three‑day championship was hosted at KT Global School, Khordha, from 1st to 3rd May 2026, bringing together some of the brightest Under‑9 chess players from Odisha.
Promoting Grassroots Chess in Odisha
The championship was jointly organised by Master Chess Foundation and IIG Sports Academy, Khordha, under the aegis of the All Odisha Chess Association (AOCA), with the active support of the Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha. The tournament was conducted in the loving memory of Late Dr Bishnu Charan Sethi, honouring his vision and contribution towards the development of sports and youth activities.
This initiative aimed to identify emerging chess talent and provide children with a highly competitive platform at the grassroots level, reinforcing the growing chess ecosystem in Odisha.
Inauguration Ceremony
The inauguration ceremony was graced by several eminent personalities from the fields of education, sports, and administration. The Chief Guest, Mr Kishore Kumar Panda, BJP In‑Charge (Pravari), Cuttack Gramina, inspired the young players by highlighting the importance of chess in developing analytical thinking, concentration, and discipline among children.
The event was further honoured by the presence of distinguished Guests of Honour, including:
- Mr Bikram Keshari Biswal, Founder, MCF
- Mr Biswajit Ray, Founder, KING Chess Center
- IA Suresh Chandra Sahoo, Vice President, DCAP
- IA Bhabesh Mohanty, Joint Secretary, AOCA
- IA Jyoti Shankar Nanda, Director of Sports, KT Global School
- IA Santosh Kumar Mohapatra, Chief Arbiter
All dignitaries appreciated the organisers’ efforts in promoting chess at the grassroots level and motivating young minds to pursue excellence in the sport.
Strong Participation and Competitive Field
The championship witnessed participation from 12 districts across Odisha, reflecting the event’s wide reach and popularity. Adding to the competitive strength of the tournament were six internationally rated players in the Open category and two rated players in the Girls category, making the contest highly engaging and challenging.
With a total prize fund of ₹20,000, the event offered attractive prizes, multiple age‑category awards, and elegant trophies, encouraging young players to give their best performances.
Road to National Championships
Significantly, the tournament served as a selection event for the upcoming 39th National Under‑9 Open & Girls Chess Championships 2026, scheduled to be held in Jharkhand from 5th to 11th July 2026. The top two players from each category earned direct qualification to represent Odisha at the national level.
Additionally, Odisha was awarded three extra entries in the Open category, recognising the state’s outstanding performance in recent years, including a Gold Medal at the 38th National Under‑9 Open Chess Championship 2025.
Valedictory Ceremony-cum-Prize Distribution Ceremony
The matches commenced daily at 10:00 AM and concluded with a grand valedictory and prize distribution ceremony on 3rd May 2026, chaired by the Chief Guest, Mr Satya Ranjan Pattnaik, President, AOCA.
The valedictory ceremony was also attended by several esteemed guests, including:
- Mr Bikram Keshari Biswal, Founder, Master Chess Foundation
- IA Jyoti Shankar Nanda, Director of Sports, IIG Sports Academy
- Mr Shakti Prasad Nanda, Journalist, Samaya
- IA Santosh Mohapatra, Chief Arbiter
- Mr Nikhil Kumar Dalei, International Jury (Yoga)
- Mr Swayanghsu Satyakam, Director, Chessturf Academy
- IA Bhabesh Mohanty, Joint Secretary, AOCA
All dignitaries congratulated the young achievers and applauded the organisers for successfully conducting the championship.
Final Standings (Top 3)
Open Category
- Champion: Pragyan Mishra (Khordha) – 7.5 points
- Runner‑up: Pratyush Kumar (Khordha) – 7 points
- Third Place: Riyansh Agarwal (Sundergarh) – 6.5 points
Girls Category
- Champion: Snehasmita Ram (Cuttack) – 7 points
- Runner‑up: Devanshi Sahoo (Khordha) – 7 points
- Third Place: Elena Mishra (Khordha) – 6 points
A total of 44 trophies and prizes were distributed during the ceremony.
Qualified Players for Nationals
Open Category
- Pragyan Mishra (Khordha)
- Pratyush Kumar (Khordha)
- Riyansh Agarwal (Sundergarh)
- Mriyank Lenka (Jajpur)
- Arpan Sahoo (Khordha)
Girls Category
- Snehasmita Ram (Cuttack)
- Devanshi Sahoo (Khordha)
A Grand Success
The organisers expressed heartfelt gratitude to all players, parents, arbiters, officials, sponsors, and supporters for their cooperation and contribution in making the Dr Bishnu Charan Sethi Memorial Odisha State Under‑9 Open & Girls Chess Championships 2026 a resounding success.
The event once again reaffirmed Odisha’s growing stature as a strong hub for nurturing young chess talent and building a promising future for the sport.
The Chief Arbiter of the event was IA Santosh Kumar Mohapatra able assisted by FA Suraj Kumar Moharana.
Contacts:
Ms. Itee Pradhan, 8093052050 (Lodging & Boarding)
Registration
- IA Santosh Kumar Mohapatra, 6371722939
- IA Jyoti Sankar Nanda, 9439490922
- Mr. Lalat Keshari Samal, 9337395004
