365telugu.com online news,Hyderabad,4th,December,2025:Telangana is set to witness one of its biggest open rapid chess events as the Ekagra Chess Academy announces the Ekagra International Open Rapid Chess Tournament, scheduled for December 20 and 21 at the HITEX Exhibition Center, Hyderabad. The tournament features a record prize pool of ₹22,22,222, making it one of the largest chess prize funds in the region.
At a press conference held at Somajiguda Press Club, Sharif Mohammad, Vice Chairman of the tournament, senior journalist, and Nandi Award winner, said,
“This is the first time such a grand rapid chess tournament is being organized in Telangana. A total cash prize of ₹22,22,222 will be awarded to winners across various categories.”
Entry Fee & Registration Details
- General Entry Fee: ₹5,000
- Free Entry for: GM, IM, WGM, and WIM
- Last Date for ₹5,000 Entry: December 15
- Late Entry (₹6,000): Until December 18
- Online Registration: www.ekagrachessacademy.com
- Contact: +91 79813 58105, +91 62646 46422, +91 78428 43999
International Grandmasters to Participate
Several renowned Grandmasters have confirmed their participation, including:
- Tvil Kovu Serij (Netherlands)
- Savchenko Boris (Russia)
- Petrov Marian (Bulgaria)
- Roy Chowdhury Saptarshi (India)
Organisers say player registrations are pouring in from across India and abroad.
Academy’s Vision and Background
Tournament Director Girish Reddy shared insights into the academy’s mission:
“Since Ekagra Chess Academy was established in 2020, we have trained thousands of young players. Our 2022 FIDE-rated tournament saw over 1,300 participants. This year, we are elevating the event to a much bigger scale.”
He added that students who excel in the tournament will be considered for the Ekagra Chess Scholarship Program.
Organising Secretary Sowmya Janu highlighted the cognitive benefits of the sport:
“Chess greatly enhances concentration, memory, and self-confidence.”
Organised in collaboration , the event is already generating significant excitement. Organisers believe this will be a rare opportunity for Telangana’s chess talent to compete in an international-standard tournament.