KIIT International Chess Festival 2026 Opens in Bhubaneswar With Global Participation

Bhubaneswar, May 25 (BNP): The 17th edition of the KIIT International Chess Festival commenced at the KIIT campus in Bhubaneswar, bringing together thousands of players, officials and chess enthusiasts from across the globe for one of India’s largest international chess tournaments.

Organised by KIIT Deemed to be University in association with International Chess Federation, All India Chess Federation and the Odisha Chess Association, the tournament is being held from May 23 to 30 and features a record prize pool of ₹1.31 crore — the highest offered by any university-hosted chess event in India.

The festival has drawn participation from over 40 countries, with around 4,000 players, officials and accompanying delegates attending the event. The tournament features a strong international field, including 25 Grandmasters, 50 International Masters and more than 85 title holders, reflecting its growing stature in the global chess calendar.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Achyuta Samanta said KIIT has consistently promoted sports alongside academics and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting chess and nurturing young talent. He also acknowledged the support of FIDE, AICF and the Odisha Chess Association in helping the festival evolve into a globally recognised competition.

Tournament Director Sekhar Ranjan Sahoo said nearly 2,800 players are competing in this edition and described the event as one of the richest chess festivals globally. He expressed optimism that participation would continue to grow in future editions.

Organising committee president Ranjan Kumar Mohanty noted that the tournament, which started in 2011 with a prize pool of ₹16 lakh, has grown significantly over the years to become an internationally recognised event.

Vice Chancellor of KIIT-DU Saranjit Singh highlighted the importance of sports infrastructure in producing world-class athletes and said institutions must create a supportive ecosystem for talent development.

The week-long championship is expected to further strengthen Odisha’s position as an emerging destination for international sporting and intellectual events while providing young players with valuable global exposure.