New Delhi [India]: India’s capital is gearing up to host the 21st edition of the Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament from June 7 to 14 at Tivoli Gardens, Chattarpur, New Delhi, with a record-breaking prize pool of ₹1.21 crore, as announced by the Delhi Chess Association.
Organised under the All India Chess Federation and recognized on the FIDE World Championship Circuit, the Delhi GM Open has grown into Asia’s largest classical-format chess tournament by participation, consistently serving as a launchpad for India’s brightest chess talents.
“Over the past two decades, the Delhi GM Open hasn’t just kept pace with the rise of chess in India, but has helped drive it,” said Bharat Singh Chauhan, President of the Delhi Chess Association.
“This tournament reflects chess’s shift from the margins to the mainstream… With every edition, we’re strengthening the foundations for a sustainable, high-performance chess culture in the country.”
Tournament Highlights:
- Total Prize Pool: ₹1.21 crore (a 168% increase from last year)
- Dates: June 7–14, 2025
- Venue: Tivoli Gardens, Chattarpur, New Delhi
- Expected Participation: Over 2,500 players from 15+ countries, including 20 Grandmasters
- Format: FIDE Swiss System, 10 rounds per section
Prize Structure:
🏆 Category A (Open to all internationally rated players)
- Prize Pool: ₹51 lakh
- Top Prizes:
- 1st: ₹7,00,000
- 2nd: ₹6,00,000
- 3rd: ₹5,00,000
- Special Awards: ₹1,00,000 each for Best Female Player and Best Foreign Player
- Time Control: 90 minutes + 30-second increment from move 1
⚔️ Category B (Under 1900 Rating)
- Prize Pool: ₹35 lakh
- Time Control: 60 minutes + 30-second increment
⚔️ Category C (Under 1700 Rating)
- Prize Pool: ₹35 lakh
- Time Control: 30 minutes + 30-second increment
✅ Free entry for GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs
Legacy and Impact:
Past participants and champions include Indian chess stars like:
- Arjun Erigaisi
- Aravindh Chithambaram
- R. Praggnanandhaa
- World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, who earned his final GM norm at this event
The tournament continues to play a critical role in India’s chess ecosystem, offering aspiring players a platform for international recognition and progression.