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The 1st Bangalore GM tournament will happen in January 2024 with a prize fund of Rs.50,00,000

by Sagar Shah - 01/11/2023

The 1st Bangalore International Grandmasters Open Chess Tournament 2024 will be held in the IT capital of India - the city of Bengaluru from the 18th to the 26th of January 2024. It will be organized in 3 categories - A category with a rating of above 1900 players, B category of below 2000 and C category of below 1600. The total prize fund of all three events combined is Rs.50,00,000. In this article you get to know all the details. 

1st Bangalore GM Tournament to be held from 18th-26th of January 2024

A massive GM tournament is going to be happening in Bangalore in January 2024. It promises to be one of the most special grandmaster tournaments in the country. It will be held from the 18th to the 26th of January 2024.

"The Bangalore GM tournament promises a unique chess experience for players. With a strategic blend of international expertise and local support, it offers a vibrant and competitive atmosphere. Players can expect not only strong competition but also a rich cultural experience in the heart of India's Silicon Valley. The event's focus on innovation and inclusivity sets it apart from other GM tournaments in the country." - Sowmya MU, the organizing secretary of the tournament.

The venue of the tournament is the massive Kanteerava Indoor stadium

How did the idea of the Bangalore GM tournament come about? Speaking to ChessBase India, Sowmya says, "The idea for the Bangalore GM tournament sprouted from the collective desire to elevate chess in Karnataka. Recognizing the state's growing talent pool, the All India Chess Federation and the Karnataka State Chess Association entrusted BUDCA with hosting rights for this historic event. The tournament was born out of a shared vision to provide a platform for aspiring chess players to compete at the highest level." 

The event is organized by BUDCA - Bangalore Urban District Chess Association

This grand chess spectacle is made possible by a dedicated team of organizers from Bengaluru Urban District Chess Association. The organizing committee, comprising chess enthusiasts and experts, has been working tirelessly to ensure every detail is perfect. Approaching Leading companies and organizations to join their hands to sponsor this event, demonstrating their commitment to nurturing chess talent in India.

 

There are three events that will be simultaneously held. A category (above 1900 Elo), B category (below 2000 Elo) and C category (below 1600 Elo).

A category

Apart from the excellent Prize fund of Rs.25,00,000 (US$30,000), players will also play for gaining FIDE rating and norms at the event.

The prizes of A category event

The entry fee structure

The schedule of the event

Key details of B category

Dates: 18th to 21st January 2024

Total Prize fund: Rs.12,50,000

First prize: Rs.1,25,000

Entry fee for Karnataka players: Rs.4,000

Entry fee for all other players: Rs.5,000

Download the prospectus

Key details of C category

Dates: 23rd to 26th January 2024

Total Prize fund: Rs.12,50,000

First prize: Rs.1,25,000

Entry fee for Karnataka players: Rs.4,000

Entry fee for all other players: 5000

Download the prospectus

Accommodation

The accommodation details

Accommodation for titled players will be done in Hotels IBIS and Pride:

Hotel IBIS

Hotel Pride

Event Overview 

An International Chess Extravaganza 1st Bangalore International Grandmasters Open Chess Tournament 2024 (18th to 26th January 2024 )

Venue : Sri Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, Kasturba Road, Nunegundlapalli, Bengaluru

 

Here are some key highlights of the tournament:

International Participation: The event is expected to attract 3000 players from India and 18 other countries, including 50 Grandmasters. This diverse participation highlights the global significance of this tournament.

Support from FIDE: Backing of FIDE, the international governing body for chess, adds to the tournament's prestige and ensures its success.

Inclusivity: The tournament will feature players of all ages and skill levels, promoting inclusivity and providing a platform for players to showcase their talent.

Cultural Events and Special Shows: In addition to the intense chess battles, the event will feature cultural events, special shows, and exhibition matches, stalls, food court, wifi zone, making it an enriching experience for both players and spectators.

Celebrity Involvement: Eminent personalities from various fields are expected to be associated with and participate in the event, adding to its grandeur.

• The tournament will be played from 18th to 26th January 2024 around 50 grand Masters and 2500 players will participate in this.

• Competition will be held in three categories A, B & C

• Around 1000 player with more than 1900 Elo rating will participate in the 1st Bangalore International Grand Masters Open Chess Tournament. Meanwhile, almost 2000 players with rating less than 2000 & 1600 Elo will compete in the Tournament

• Chess Tournaments across schools of Bangalore and Karnataka will be organised and winners will get a chance to attend the main event

• Exhibition Matches at star Hotels, Malls with mass contact program

• Expected crowd turnout for the 10 days of tournament around 50,000 people

Weather:

The Weather in bangalore during January is moderate. The minimum / maximum temperature will be around 25-30 Degree Celsius during day and 15-20 degree Celsius in the night.

The vision of the tournament

The vision of the Bangalore GM tournament is to nurture and showcase the immense chess talent that Karnataka & India possesses. It aspires to provide a stage for Indian players to compete against the best in the world and grow as chess champions. Additionally, it aims to promote chess as a sport, encouraging more youngsters to take up the game and discover their potential.

Contact Details:

Mrs. Sowmya M U (President) - Ph: 9481860073

Mrs. Jayanthi Hanumantha (Vice President) - Ph: 7829600466

Mrs. Bhargavi Bharath (Vice President) - Ph: 8861350764

Mrs. Nalini Kumara (Vice President) - Ph: 9845055928

Mrs. Shubharani Hebbar (Gen Secretary) - Ph: 9448292516

Mrs. Vidya Gururaja (Treasurer) - Ph: 9480389635

Mrs. Sujatha Arjun (Joint Secretary) - Ph: 9945567914

About BUDCA

Bangalore District Chess Association is run by them 

The inception of the Bangalore District Chess Association (BUDCA) has its roots in the discussions and initiatives led by the late Mr. Hanumantha, who served as the state secretary. His vision was to establish a district-level chess association in Bangalore, recognizing the need for a local governing body to oversee chess activities in the city. However, the journey from idea to realization took a unique and inspiring turn. The true brainchild behind the formation of BUDCA was the remarkable duo of Mr. Arvind Shastry and Mr. Raghavendra V.

 

At the time, Bangalore had no district-level chess body, and the Karnataka State Chess Association (KSCA) served as the overarching governing body for the region. Mr. Shastry's vision was to create an organization that could provide local support and opportunities for chess enthusiasts, particularly young players. His drive to make this vision a reality was evident in his efforts to bring together like-minded individuals who shared their passion for chess.

 

One remarkable aspect of their journey was the support they garnered from 7 parents who accompanied their children to chess tournaments across the country. These parents, motivated by the potential they saw in their young chess prodigies, joined hands with Mr. Shastry to turn their collective dream into BUDCA, an organization dedicated to promoting chess, fostering talent, and supporting women players. Something giving back to society is the best part of team BUDCA. The collective efforts of these visionary individuals, inspired by Mr. Hanumantha's initial discussions, have given birth to BUDCA—an organization that stands as a testament.

Important links:

All the information of A category tournament

All the information of B category tournament

All the information of C category tournament



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