The Delhi Chess Association’s 21st edition of the Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament, which will take place at Tivoli Gardens in Chattarpur, New Delhi, from June 7 to 14, has a record prize fund of Rs 1.21 crore.

India’s chess stars, such as former winners Arjun Erigaisi and Aravindh Chithambaram, R. Praggnanandhaa, and World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, who obtained his final GM norm here to become a Grandmaster, have all benefited greatly from the tournament, which is a major event on the FIDE World Championship Circuit.

The Delhi GM Open, which is run by the All India Chess Federation, has become the most popular classical-format chess event in Asia in terms of participation. Over 2,500 players from more than 15 nations, including 20 Grandmasters, will compete in three rating-based divisions at the Delhi GM Open this year. Compared to the previous year’s event, the prize fund has increased by 168%.

Internationally ranked players are eligible to compete in Category A, which has a prize fund of Rs 51 lakh. For players ranked below 1900 and 1700, respectively, Categories B and C would pay Rs 35 lakh apiece. With ten rounds in each division, all matches will adhere to FIDE regulations and the structure of the FIDE Swiss System.

Bharat Singh Chauhan, president of the Delhi Chess Association, spoke at the event and stated, “The Delhi GM Open has not only kept up with but also contributed to the growth of chess in India over the last 20 years. From the number of participants to the level of competition and the infrastructure that supports it, this event illustrates the movement of the sport from the fringes to the mainstream. We’re laying the groundwork for a long-lasting, competitive chess culture in the nation with each iteration.

The traditional 90-minute time limit plus a 30-second increment from move one will apply to Category A games, and the top three prizes are Rs 700,000, Rs 600,000, and Rs 500,000, respectively. The top 10 finishers in this category will each get at least Rs 100,000, while the Best Female Player and Best Foreign Player will each receive additional rewards of Rs 100,000.

Games in categories B and C will have time limits of 60 minutes plus 30 seconds and 30 minutes plus 30 seconds, respectively. Grandmasters, International Masters, Women Grandmasters, and Women International Masters are admitted free of charge.