Chennai
The third edition of the Chennai Grand Masters, India’s top classical chess tournament, will take place from August 6–15 at the Hyatt Regency Chennai. With its biggest prize pool yet of Rs 1 crore, the 2025 event promises fierce competition and high stakes.
The tournament is divided into two sections: Masters and Challengers. Top players in the Masters group include Arjun Erigaisi, Anish Giri, Vidit Gujrathi, Nihal Sarin, Jorden Van Foreest, and others. Pranav V, who won the Challengers last year, joins them in the Masters this time.
The Challengers category, meant for India’s rising stars, features names like Karthikeyan Murali, Vaishali R, Harika Dronavalli, and Adhiban Baskaran. The winner here earns Rs 7 lakh and a place in next year’s Masters.
The Masters winner will receive Rs 25 lakh, plus key FIDE Circuit points needed to qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
“Playing such a high-stakes tournament at home is always special,” said Arjun Erigaisi. The event will also be streamed live, making it a major attraction for chess fans across the world.
