- Chiripal Group Launches Ahmedabad’s First Open Street Chess Series to Inspire Future Grandmasters
- Blitz Tournaments Across Sabarmati Riverfront, Sindhu Bhavan Road and Ahmedabad One Mall
- Special Boost for Children, Beginners and Visually Impaired Players in Inclusive Chess Initiative
- ₹25,000 Prize Pool Per Event, Free Entry for First 200 Players and Complimentary Chess Sets for Early Registrants
- Gujarat’s First Grandmaster Tejas Bakre to Mentor Budding Chess Talents
NE SPORTS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAR 13
In a move set to transform public spaces into vibrant battlegrounds of strategy and intellect, Chiripal Group has announced the launch of the Chiripal Chess Series 2026, Ahmedabad’s first open street chess tournament series, designed to inspire budding chess enthusiasts and bring the game closer to the community.
The citywide initiative will feature three blitz-format tournaments hosted at iconic public venues across Ahmedabad, encouraging participation from children, beginners and competitive players alike — with a special emphasis on inclusion for visually impaired chess players.
Chess boards arrive on Ahmedabad’s streets
The tournaments will unfold over three weekends, turning everyday public spaces into arenas of strategic play.
- March 15: Sabarmati Riverfront – 6:30 pm
- March 22: Sindhu Bhavan Road – 6:30 pm
- April 4: Ahmedabad One Mall – 2 pm
The initiative is organised under the guidance of Ankit Dalal from My Sport Trip, ensuring professional tournament management and international-style competition standards.
A platform to nurture future champions
Explaining the vision behind the initiative, Ronak Chiripal said:
“Chess builds strategic thinking, patience and decision-making—qualities valuable far beyond the board. Through the Chiripal Chess Series, we aim to bring the game into public spaces and encourage more people, especially children and new players, to experience competitive chess. Ahmedabad has a vibrant sporting culture, and we are pleased to support an initiative that makes the game more accessible, inclusive and engaging for the community.”
The tournaments will follow the blitz chess format, one of the fastest and most thrilling forms of the game, where each player has three minutes with a two-second increment per move, creating high-intensity contests that test reflexes, strategy and composure.
Inclusion at the heart of the tournament
A standout feature of the series is its inclusive approach, with visually impaired players invited to compete in the blitz format—a rare opportunity in open street tournaments.
Organisers say the move reflects a strong commitment to making chess accessible to diverse players and communities, reinforcing the idea that the game transcends physical limitations and celebrates pure intellectual skill.
Young participants will also receive special encouragement, with all players under 13 years awarded medals, ensuring the tournament becomes a welcoming platform for the next generation of chess champions.
Rewards, mentorship and excitement
Each tournament will feature:
- ₹25,000 prize pool
- Gift vouchers worth ₹1.5 lakh
- Free entry for the first 200 participants
- Complimentary chess sets for the first 100 registrations
Around 600 players are expected to participate across the three tournaments.
Adding star power to the event, Tejas Bakre, Gujarat’s first chess Grandmaster, will attend the event to interact with young players and aspiring champions, offering valuable insights and inspiration.
Strengthening Gujarat’s sporting ecosystem
The chess series is part of the Chiripal Group’s broader CSR commitment to grassroots sports development.
The company has earlier supported initiatives in cricket and squash, including the Cricket Premier League for emerging talent and development programmes in collaboration with the All Gujarat Squash Racquet Association.
With the Chiripal Chess Series 2026, the group now aims to build a vibrant chess culture in Ahmedabad, turning city spaces into lively arenas where strategy, creativity and community spirit come together.
