Nagpur will host the 26th National Chess Championship of the Deaf from February 16 to 20, 2026. The event, organized by the Maharashtra Sports Council of the Deaf, will feature around 300 players from 19 states across various categories. It takes place at the G.H. Raisoni Institute of Information and Technology.
The 26th National Chess Championship of the Deaf is scheduled to occur at G.H. Raisoni Institute of Information and Technology, located at Shraddha Park, Wadi Hingna Link, Nagpur, from February 16 to 20, 2026. This four-day tournament is organized by the Maharashtra Sports Council of the Deaf in Pune and is recognized by the National Sports Federation of the Deaf and the All India Sports Council of the Deaf in New Delhi. It aligns with the National Calendar 2026-2027, prepared by the Asia Pacific/World Chess Championship of the Deaf.
The championship will include approximately 23 players from each of around 19 states, competing in categories such as men, women, junior boys, junior girls, sub-junior boys, and sub-junior girls, resulting in a total participation of about 300 players. Matches will be played over the four days of the event.
Support for the deaf participants includes about 30 officials, secretarial, and technical management staff, along with complimentary boarding and lodging. Key individuals involved in arrangements include Mr. Rajesh Nair, President of India Deaf Club Nagpur; Darshan Kshirsagar, Assistant Chess Director; Varad Kulkarni, Interpreter; and Mr. Gopal Birare, Honorary Secretary of the Maharashtra Sports Council of the Deaf, Nashik.
The event is under the patronage of the G.H. Raisoni Sports and Welfare Foundation. Guidance comes from Shri Sunil Raisoni, Chairman of the Raisoni Group; Dr. Vivek Kapoor, Vice Chancellor of G.H. Raisoni Skill Tech University; Dr. Mrinal Naik, Director of G.H. Raisoni Sports and Cultural Foundation; and Shri Amit Gandhare, Director of Public Relations for the Raisoni Group. Best wishes have been extended by Shri Girish Vyas, President of the Chess Association Nagpur, and Shri Bhushan Shriwas, Secretary of the Chess Association Nagpur.