In all, 641 young chess players representing various States and Union Territories across India will take part in the 39th National Under-11 Open and Girls FIDE-rated Chess Championship 2026, which will begin here on Sunday and continue for a week.
The championship, to be held at Urwa Indoor Stadium, will be inaugurated at 11.15 a.m. and conclude on August 8.
Organised by the Dakshina Kannada Chess Association (DKCA) under the aegis of the All-India Chess Federation (AICF) and the Karnataka State Chess Association (KSCA), the championship aims to provide a national platform for emerging chess talents while promoting the game among children and strengthening Karnataka’s reputation as a leading destination for national sporting events, according to Amarshree Amarnath Shetty, president of the DKCA.
The DKCA has made comprehensive arrangements for the successful conduct of the championship, including world-class playing conditions, accommodation, medical facilities and live telecast of games, Dr. Shetty said in a release.
Several distinguished dignitaries from the government, sports organisations, sponsoring institutions and the chess fraternity will grace the inaugural function and formally declare the championship open.
