Come and Battle in the City of Lakes: 9th N L Pandiyar Memorial Lakecity International Open 2026
Chess returns to the picturesque City of Lakes as Buddhibal Seva Sansthan (BSS), operating under its Chess in Lakecity unit, proudly announces the 9th N. L. Pandiyar Memorial Lakecity International FIDE Rating Open Chess Tournament 2026. Continuing its legacy of hosting world-class FIDE-rated events in Udaipur, the tournament brings together players from across India and around the globe.
Chess in Lakecity is Back
Key Highlights & Early Bird Offer
Total Prize Fund: ₹16,01,000/-
Dates: October 25 to 29, 2026 (5 Days, 9 Rounds)
Venue: Orbit Resort, New Bhopalpura, R K Circle, Near Miraj Mallhar Complex, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Time Control: 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move from Move 1
Early Bird Advantage: Complimentary 5-night lodging and meals (Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner from Oct 25 to Oct 29) for all players who register on or before August 31, 2026!
Prize Structure
Schedule
Entry Fee & Registration Details
Entry fees are structured with discounted slabs for early registrations:
Category | Till 31st August 2026 (Includes Stay & Food) | 1st Sep to 20th Sep 2026 | 21st Sep to 24th Oct 2026 |
General Category | ₹8,000 | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
Rajasthan Players | ₹7,000 | ₹7,500 | ₹8,000 |
Udaipur Players | ₹5,000 | ₹5,500 | ₹6,000 |
Veterans / North-East / Divyang | ₹6,000 | ₹7,000 | ₹8,000 |
Contact Details for Inquiries
IA Vikas Sahu (Organizing Secretary): +91 94130 45606 / +91 98294 76158
IA Neelesh Kumawat (Accommodation & Registration): +91 94613 89344
FA Bhawesh Pandiyar: +91 90570 59363
Official Emails: buddhibalsevasansthan@gmail.com / lakecitychess64@gmail.com
Why Visit Udaipur?
Known globally as the "Venice of the East," Udaipur offers magnificent royal palaces, serene lakes like Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar, historic forts, and traditional Rajasthani culture. Combining your classical chess tournament with an autumn vacation in Rajasthan makes this event a must-attend on the Indian chess calendar.
History of Event
By - Shahid Ahmed's Previous Article
The tournament has been organized in Udaipur, Rajasthan since 2009. The winner of the first edition, IM Sriram Jha, went on to become a Grandmaster in the following year. Vignesh N R won the third edition when he was just 13-years-old. He became an International Master in 2015. Only the second and third editions were rating-restricted events. From 2016 onwards, it once again became an Open tournament. Fourth to sixth editions took place consecutively between 2016 and 2018.
Buddhibal Seva Sansthan
Buddhibal Seva Sansthan, Udaipur, is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to charitable and social welfare initiatives. The organization assists economically weaker sections of society through blood donation drives, free veterinary camps, and other community welfare programs. It also actively promotes sports at the grassroots level by organizing tournaments, encouraging youth participation, nurturing talent, and expanding opportunities for athletic development. By integrating chess into schools, the organization helps students cultivate critical life skills that benefit them far beyond the chessboard.