Mumbai International Chess Tournament returns after 5 years with ₹40 lakh prize pool

After a five-year hiatus post COVID, the International Chess Tournament is set to return from June 16 to 24 at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai. Organised by Indian Chess School and sponsored by Aurionpro Solutions Limited, the event will feature:

• An International Open Grandmaster Tournament with a ₹25 lakh prize pool

• An Under-13 Junior Tournament, offering ₹15 lakh – the highest prize money globally for junior chess

The Grandmaster Open has drawn participants from 19 countries, including 19 Grandmasters. Meanwhile, the junior tournament features age groups Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, and Under-13. It has attracted 70 participants from six countries. Notable entries include:

• WIM Oshini from Sri Lanka

• Six Indian age-group national champions: Aansh Nerurkar, Avirat Chahan, Madhavendra Sharma, Samuel Stephen, Vairaj Sogerwal, and Saranya Devi

While discussing the Chess Tournament, it’s only fitting to highlight reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, who made headlines by winning the Mumbai event in 2018. On June 1, 2025, he defeated former world number one Magnus Carlsen in Round 6 of Norway Chess, staging a remarkable comeback from a losing position.