AICF Reschedules 2026 National Chess Championship Following GM Abhijeet Gupta’s Concerns

AICF Reschedules 2026 National Chess Championship After GM Abhijeet Gupta’s Concerns

NEW DELHI: In a swift response to concerns raised by Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta, the All India Chess Federation (AICF) has confirmed new dates for the senior National Chess Championship, ensuring it will take place in 2026. The tournament is now set to unfold from November 29 to December 9, 2026, in the historic city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

The AICF’s decision comes after Gupta, a five-time Commonwealth champion and Arjuna Awardee, took to social media to express his discontent over the federation’s initial plan to defer the championship to March 2027. Gupta argued that such a delay would effectively skip the 2026 edition, a move he deemed detrimental to young players aspiring to compete at the national level.

In his post, Gupta highlighted the scheduling conflict with peak school board exams, which would force many young chess prodigies to choose between their academic commitments and the chance to compete for the national title. “India is producing world champions, but are we making it harder for the next generation to even compete?” he questioned, urging the AICF to reconsider its planning for the benefit of aspiring players.

Recognizing the validity of Gupta’s concerns, AICF officials convened urgent meetings with key stakeholders to explore alternative dates. After thorough discussions, they settled on the November-December timeframe, allowing the championship to proceed as originally intended.

Previously, the AICF had scheduled the event for March 25 to April 4, 2027, citing a congested international and domestic calendar as the reason for the postponement. A senior AICF official explained that the federation had prioritized age-group National Championships early in the year to facilitate player qualifications for the World Championships, as the senior championship does not face similar age-related deadlines.

With the scheduling conflict now resolved, the focus shifts back to the chessboard. The upcoming championship in Varanasi will follow the October 2025 event in Guntur, where Panneerselvam Iniyan narrowly claimed his maiden national title over Goutham Krishna in a tense tiebreak.

As excitement builds for the 2026 National Chess Championship, players and fans alike can look forward to a thrilling competition that promises to showcase India’s rich chess talent.