ChessBase has announced its sponsorship for the Indian edition of the International Solving Contest 2026, providing premium software prizes to top performers. The event will occur on 25 January across 10 cities in India, aiming to boost interest in chess solving. Participants scoring at least 50% and finishing in the top three at any venue will receive ChessBase 26, Fritz 20, and a one-year Premium account.
The International Solving Contest 2026 marks a significant step in promoting chess solving in India, a discipline that lags behind the country's strong presence in competitive chess. Organized by dedicated chess enthusiasts and coaches, the event will span 10 locations nationwide on 25 January. ChessBase's sponsorship addresses key challenges in event organization, such as venue setup and attractive prizes, which are hard to fund solely through entry fees.
This support underscores the value of solving in enhancing core chess skills like calculation, imagination, and economy. As the article notes, solving often operates on the margins of mainstream chess but influences it profoundly. By offering high-value tools, the sponsorship bridges problem chess and competitive play.
Prizes are awarded to top three finishers in each category at every venue, provided they achieve a minimum 50% score—30 out of 60 points or 15 out of 30 in Category 3. First place receives ChessBase 26, a versatile platform for game analysis, opponent preparation, and training material creation, used by players from amateurs to world champions. Second prize is Fritz 20, featuring simulations of legends like Lasker, Tal, Fischer, and Karpov, plus Bullet Training Mode and AI-guided learning. Third is a one-year ChessBase Premium Account, worth ₹1,799, granting access to hundreds of videos, over 50,000 tactics exercises, an Opening Training app, and a database of more than eight million games.
With spots still open in several cities, the contest invites participants to engage in competitive solving and potentially win these resources. Registration details and venues are available through official links.
