India Youth 1: Gold Medal
In the final against Serbia, the Indian team drew their first match 2-2 and defeated Serbia in the next match 2.5-1.5 to clinch the title in the Youth category.
India Women 1: Gold Medal
The Women’s final saw a dominant performance by Bhopal against Mexico. The Indian squad won both matches by a perfect 4–0 margin, completing a clean 8–0 sweep to secure the championship.
The Road to Gold
In the finals, the Youth team defeated Serbia, and the Women team won against Mexico.
Gold Medal celebration with India Women 1 – Government Children Home (Girls), Bhopal
Top Row (L to R): GM Abhijit Kunte, DGM (ES & Sports) | Indian Women Team at Bhopal | Mr. Bhavin Radia, GM (ES); HO
Bottom Row (L to R): Mr. Manoj Bhagat, CGM (ES) | Mr. Mayur Kadrekar, Sports Coordinator, Western Region | IA Swapnil Bansod, FIDE-appointed Arbiter
Gold Medal celebration with India Youth 1 – Govt. Special Home for Boys and Govt. Children Home for Boys, Tirupati
Top Row (L to R): GM Abhijit Kunte, DGM (ES & Sports) | Mr. Bhavin Radia, GM (ES); HO | Indian Youth Team
Bottom Row (L to R): Ms. Rushmi Chakravarthi, Chief Manager (ES & Sports) – Sports Coordinator, SRO | AICF Tournament Coordinator IA Gourav Kumar Ray | Mr. Sreekanth Bathula, DGM (HR), TAPSO
Support of Indian Oil
Organized jointly by FIDE and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in Chicago, the championship brought together 138 teams from 56 countries. The initiative operates under FIDE's "Chess for Freedom" program, using chess as an educational and rehabilitation tool inside correctional facilities. Nine teams represented India across Men's, Women's, and Youth sections under IndianOil’s flagship social initiative "Parivartan – Prison to Pride," supported by the All India Chess Federation (AICF). The Program is running under the leadership of Chairman Shri Arvinder Singh Sahney.
Replay Youth Final Games
Replay Women's Final Games
Tournament Format and Preparation
The championship was conducted at a rapid time control of 10 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move, featuring four boards per match. The finals were contested over a two-match series with colors reversed. IndianOil has led this initiative under its flagship programme "Parivartan – Prison to Pride"
In preparation for the competition, IndianOil organized a two-month in-person training camp at each correctional center, complemented by visits from Grandmasters. Every facility was equipped with dedicated online setups, including high-speed Wi-Fi routers and devices, alongside custom team jerseys and daily debrief sessions conducted by IndianOil officials throughout the event.
