Pune: The 'Pune International Grandmaster Round-Robin Chess Tournament' is being organized by the Chess Sports Trust and sponsored by 'The Habitat'. This prestigious event will take place from June 30 to July 8 at 'The Fern Habitat' in Mundhwa. There is immense excitement within the state's chess community, as this is the first time such an international Grandmaster round-robin tournament is being held in Maharashtra.
Participation of Stalwarts and Opportunity for 'Norms'
The tournament is being conducted in collaboration with the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the All India Chess Federation, the Maharashtra Chess Association, and the Pune District Chess Circle. This event offers players a golden opportunity to compete against experienced Grandmasters and to achieve Grandmaster and International Master 'norms'. Players from India, Belarus, Sri Lanka, and the USA will showcase their skills in this competition. The lineup features ten top-tier players, including three Grandmasters, six International Masters, and one FIDE Master.
Tournament Format and Prize Money
The grand inauguration of the tournament will take place on June 30 at 9:30 AM. The event consists of nine rounds, with matches commencing daily at 10:00 AM. Played under a specific time control format, the games will allow 90 minutes for the match starting from the first move, with a 30-second increment added per move. A total prize fund of ₹2.5 lakh has been allocated for this international tournament, with the winner receiving a top prize of ₹1 lakh.
R. Srivatsan will serve as the Chief Arbiter for the tournament. This prestigious event has received valuable support from ChessBase India, Kunte's Chess Academy, and Kindersports.