The First Chola Chess International Grandmasters Norm Round Robin Tournament 2026 began on February 3 in Chennai, India, marking the country's first closed GM norm event. Organized by Chola Chess in partnership with Chess Gurukul, the nine-day competition features 10 players vying for Grandmaster norms in a round-robin format. The first round commenced at 2 PM IST under FIDE regulations.
Chennai's Chola Chess venue hosted the opening ceremony and drawing of lots just before the tournament's kickoff, with representatives from the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association stepping in for absent players during the draw. The event, running from February 3 to 11, 2026, adopts a classical format with nine rounds and a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move from the first move. Players must achieve specific scores for GM norms: 6 out of 9 points for most, but 6.5 out of 9 for seeded players Aronyak Ghosh and Vaz Ethan.
The 10 competitors include Indian talents like Mayank Chakraborty, Harsh Suresh, Ameya Audi, and Akshay Borgaonkar, alongside international entries such as Neuris Delgado Ramirez from Cuba, Alisher Suleymenov from Kazakhstan, Joseph Girel from France, and Mahel Boyer from France. This setup aims to offer Indian players a domestic opportunity to earn international norms, reducing the need for overseas travel.
A total prize fund of Rs. 250,000 will be distributed, with the winner receiving Rs. 100,000, second place Rs. 75,000, third Rs. 50,000, and fourth Rs. 25,000, subject to Indian tax rules. The tournament underscores growing support for chess in India through initiatives like the Chola Foundation.