The 44th National Open Team Chess Championship and the 22nd National Women Team Chess Championship 2025 were held at Ahmedabad, Gujarat, from 5 March to 11 Mar 2025.

The Championship got off to a grand start with a vibrant opening ceremony held on March 5, 2025, at the luxurious Hall of GSC Bank Naranpura, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The ceremony was attended by esteemed guests, including GM Ankit Rajpara GSCA Vice President, First GM of Gujrat, Mr Tejas Bhakre, AICF Joint Secretary, Mr Sanjeev Thakur, Ms Krishna Gadhiya, DI Bhaveshbhai Patel Organising Secretary, Shri Mayur Patel Tournament Director (Ex Tresurer GSCA), Chief Arbiter Nitin Shenvi, GGSCA Vice President Mr Hemal Thanki, GSCA Member Mr. Ankit Dalal. The event began with a traditional lighting of the lamp ceremony, followed by an inaugural move to start the tournament.

The Chief Arbiter, IA Nitin Shenvi, welcomed the participants and officials, while the Guest of Honor declared the championships open. The ceremony concluded with a photo session, marking the beginning of the highly anticipated team championships.

These were prestigious norm events, organized by the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and hosted by the Gujarat State Chess Association, attracted a formidable gathering of India’s top chess teams. Very good response and first time in recent history highest participation of teams. A total of 41 teams, competed in the Open section, while 20 teams in women section, both the teams featuring 5 players each including 1 reserve. The 9-round Swiss-system for Open and 7 round Swill-system for women team tournaments were played at the GSC Bank venue, with a time control of 90 minutes, and a 30-second increment from move one. The championships offered a total prize fund of ₹10 lakhs, with the winning first 10 teams in the Open and Women’s sections receiving ₹5 lakhs and ₹5 lakhs, respectively.

The events were officiated by a team of experienced arbiters, led by Chief Arbiter IA Nitin Shenvi and Deputy Chief Arbiter IA Kaviraj Sawant, ensuring a smooth and fair conduct of the tournaments. The team championships provided a unique platform for India’s top chess players to showcase their skills in a team format, promoting camaraderie and strategy among teammates.

A total of 201 participants, with 27 titled players including 08 Grandmasters and 13 International Masters, competed in the Open section, while 97 players, with total 17 titled players featuring 4 IM, 4 Women Grandmasters and 4 Women International Masters, vied for honour in the Women’s category. List of the participants is attached herewith.

In men category the main fight was between RSPB A & B and AAI while in women category it was between PSPB and AAI.

44th National Team Championship 2025

The tournaments were conducted smoothly, with all rounds starting on time. The progress of games was observed closely and carefully by the arbiters’ team ensured fair play and without any disputes were resolved promptly.

The 44th National Open and 22nd National Women Chess Championship 2025 were a resounding success, with top-class chess and sportsmanship on display.

The order of the teams is determined according to the number of match points obtained. If two or more teams are tied, we used guidelines from circular. From 21st Feb 2025 SSSC tiebreak was not working in Swiss Manager. Then, I have prepared

formulas to test manually and get done. Also, informed Heinz Herzog and Prof Rathinam, Anantharam. After many emails he rectified the tiebreak before first round.

The champion in men team category Railways Sports Promotion Board B getting Rs. 1,25,000/- along with glittering trophy while runner up Airports Authority of India received Rs. 1,00,000/- along with dazzling trophy.

The champion in Women team category Petroleum Sports Promotion Board received Rs. 1,25,000/- along with a fabulous trophy while runner up Airports Authority of India received Rs. 1,00,000/- along with an impressive trophy.

Out of ten gold medals, team AAI pocketed one medal, PSPB & Gujarat E two medals each, while Pondicherry, Delhi A, Railways Sports Promotion Board B, Services Sports Control Board and Uttar Pradesh A one each.

The prize distribution function was presided by beloved administrator Shri Dev Patel Hon. Secretary AICF, Shri A K Verma Head of Operation AICF and Guest of Honour, Shri A K Raizada Vice President AICF, Shri Sanjeev Thakur Joint Secretary AICF, Shri K M Warjri Chairman North East Chess, Shri Rajesh R Chairman Arbiters commission, Shri Debabratta Bhatta Secretary Odisha Chess Association, Shri Bhaveshbhai Patel Organising Secretary, Shri Mayur Patel Tournament Director, GM Tejas Bakre, Chief Arbiter IA Nitin Shenvi and anchoring of PD function was done by Shri Ankit Dalal.

GM Tejas Bakre gave welcome speech, while Shri Ak Verma shared few plans and Shri Dev A Patel ,Secretary AICF given broader picture about AICF plans for coming years. The prize distribution was done by dignitaries on dais. The vote of thanks given by Shri Bhaveshbhai and function ended with National Anthem.