3rd Maharashtra Chess Festival 2025: A Grand Celebration of Chess

With a strong legacy of fostering chess talent, Maharashtra continues to establish itself as a powerhouse in the sport, and this festival serves as a testament to that commitment. The 2025 edition will feature three meticulously planned tournaments catering to different rating categories, ensuring a platform for every aspiring and professional chess player. The festival will not only provide competitive chess but also offer players an opportunity to engage with top talents, refine their strategies, and experience the thrill of high-stakes tournament play.

Chess enthusiasts, from seasoned Grandmasters to ambitious young talents, will converge in Pune for an unforgettable chess extravaganza. With a total prize fund of ₹50,00,000, the stakes are high, and the competition promises to be fierce. Whether you're a participant or a spectator, the 3rd Maharashtra Chess Festival 2025 is set to be an event to remember.

Event Lineup : The festival comprises Four distinct tournaments:

The festival comprises four distinct tournaments:

FIDE Women’s Grand Prix – April 13-24, 2025 (Elite women’s tournament featuring top female players worldwide)

3rd Maharashtra International Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament (For players above 2200 FIDE rating) – April 20-28, 2025

2nd Maharashtra Chess Festival Below 2200 FIDE Rating Tournament (For players rated below 2200) – April 20-23, 2025

2nd Maharashtra Chess Festival Below 1800 FIDE Rating Tournament (For players rated below 1800) – April 25-28, 2025

FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2025

Pune is gearing up to host the fifth leg of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix Series 2024-2025 from April 13 to 24, 2025. This prestigious event features a series of six tournaments held over two years, with each tournament showcasing ten top female chess players in a round-robin format. In the Pune leg, India's top four female players—Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, Rameshbabu Vaishali, and Divya Deshmukh—will compete against six other international contenders. The complete list of participants includes:

1. GM Koneru Humpy (India, 2528)
2. GM Vaishali Rameshbabu (India, 2484)
3. GM Dronavalli Harika (India, 2483)
4. IM Divya Deshmukh (India, 2470)
5. IM Shuvalova Polina (2508)
6. IM Khademalsharieh Sarasadat (2456)
7. IM Salimova Nurgyul (2404)
8. IM Munguntuul Batkhuyag (2361)
9. IM Melia Salome (2293)
10. GM Zhu Jiner (China, 2514)

A strong field with a mix of experienced grandmasters and rising talents!

Format: 10-player round-robin format.

Time Control: The time control shall be 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1.

Prize Fund: The overall prize fund for the Women's Grand Prix Series will increase from 80,000 Euros to 120,000 Euros. The winner of the Grand Prix series will now receive 30,000 Euros (up from 20,000 Euros), and the runner-up will be awarded 22,000 Euros (compared to the previous 16,000 Euros). Notably, the prize for first place in individual tournaments will rise from 15,000 to 18,000 Euros.

Significance: The Women’s Grand Prix is a key event in the women’s chess circuit, influencing the Women’s World Chess Championship cycle.

Schedule: April 13-24, 2025, in Pune.

Special Features: Live commentary, meet-and-greet sessions with players, and much more!!

3rd Maharashtra International Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament 2025

• Eligibility: Open to players with a FIDE rating of 2200 and above.

• Format: 10-round Swiss system.

• Time Control: 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move.

• Prize Fund: ₹30,00,000 with the winner receiving ₹4,50,000.

• Special Prizes: Best Game of the Round & Tournament, Best Emerging Player awards.

• Entry Fee: ₹10,000 for players rated 2200-2350, ₹8,500 for players above 2350. No entry fee for GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs, and foreign players above 2200.

• Schedule Highlights: The tournament will commence on April 20 and conclude on April 28, followed by the prize distribution ceremony.

2nd Maharashtra Chess Festival Below 2200 FIDE Rating Tournament

• Eligibility: Players rated below 2200.

• Format: 9-round Swiss system.

• Time Control: 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move.

• Prize Fund: ₹10,00,000 with ₹1,10,000 for the winner.

• Entry Fee: ₹3,500 (1801-2200), ₹4,000 (1501-1800), ₹5,000 (Unrated-1500).

• Schedule: April 20-23, 2025

2nd Maharashtra Chess Festival Below 1800 FIDE Rating Tournament

• Eligibility: Players rated below 1800.

• Format: 9-round Swiss system.

• Time Control: 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move.

• Prize Fund: ₹10,00,000 with ₹1,10,000 for the winner.

• Entry Fee: ₹4,000 (1400-1800), ₹5,000 (Unrated).

• Schedule: April 25-28, 2025

Additional Information

• Accommodation: Free for GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs, and foreign players.

• Registrations: Participants must register via the provided forms and ensure AICF/MCA membership.

• Fair Play Policy: Mobile phones and electronic devices are not allowed in the playing hall.

• Important Contacts:

  • Tournament Director: Niranjan Godbole (mahachessfest@gmail.com)

  • Coordinator:

    • Amit Kench - +91-9923429561

    • IA Juily Kulkarni (Accommodation) - +91-9689530900

    • IA Deepti Shidore - +91-9604737183

  • For Accommodation:accommodationsmca@gmail.com

The 3rd Maharashtra Chess Festival 2025 is poised to be a remarkable chess spectacle, featuring top-rated players, rising talents, and passionate chess enthusiasts. With an exciting prize pool and a competitive atmosphere, this event promises to be a landmark in India's chess calendar. Chess lovers, get ready for an enthralling experience in Pune this April!

Impoprtant Links :

Chess-Results - Cat-A , Cat-B , Cat-C

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