39th National Under-7 Open & Girls Chess Championships 2026 was inaugurated at the hands of GM Divya Deshmukh, World Cup Winner in an inauguration function held on 30th June 2026 at 9.30 am at GH Raisoni Institute of Engineering & Technology (GHRIET), Shraddha Park, Wadi-Hingna Link Road, MIDC, Nagpur. The event is being organized by the Maharashtra Chess Association (MCA) & Chess Association Nagpur (CAN) in association with G.H. Raisoni Sports and Cultural Foundation under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation (AICF) supported by Cosmos Co-Operative Bank Ltd.
Dr Parineeta Fuke, Social Worker & Ex Corporator, Dr. Vivek Kapur, Vice Chancellor, G.H.Raisoni Skill Tech University, Shri A. K. Verma, Chief Administrative Officer of All India Chess Federation, Shri Girish Vyas, President, Chess Association Nagpur, IA Debashish Barua, Chief Arbiter, Shri Niranjan Godbole, Secretary MCA & Tournament Director of Event and Shri Bhushan Shriwas, Organising Secretary of the event were prominently present on the dias. Shir S.S. Soman, Coordinator of the event conducted the program.
The event was officially inaugurated by GM Divya Deshmukh by playing a move on the chess board. GM Divya also spoke about her experience while playing in initial days of chess playing. The post inauguration function witnessed the craze for Divya amongst the Parents and Players. Divya reciprocated by allowing numerous photos with the players and parents which charged the playing atmosphere in the hall.
The event shall be conducted from 30th June 2026 to 4th July 2026. There will be two rounds from 30th June 2026 to 3rd July 2026. Final Round shall be played on 4th July 2026 followed by Prize Distribution Function.
There are 267 participants in the Open Group while 148 girls are participating in the Girls Group totalling overall 415 participants. Total Prize money at stake is Rs. 500000/- with the winner in each group getting Rs.50000/- each.
IA Debashish Barua is the Chief Arbiter and IA P Palaniappan is the Dy Chief Arbiter. IA Pravin Thakre, FA Amit Temphurne, FA Bharati Dhote, FA Gayatri Panbude, FA Sagar Sakhare, SNA Shital Panbude, SNA Swati Kumbhalkar, SNA Ojas Raut, SNA Ninad Warudkar, SNA Prayas Ambade, SNA Akash Rewatkar, SNA Shishir Indurkar and Prathamesh Machave are assisting the Arbiters fro successful conduction of the event.
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