Fifty-eight leading chess players from 16 countries, featuring 14 Grandmasters, 34 International Masters, six FIDE Masters, two Women International Masters, and two Candidate Masters, make up the star-studded field for the Masters Section (Category A) of the 360 One Masters Chess Tournament. The event will take place at the Expo Hall, World Trade Centre, from June 10 to 18, 2026.
Flagship Event of the 360 ONE Global Chess Festival
The Masters Section is the flagship event of the Rs 60 lakh prize money 360 ONE Global Chess Festival, organized by the Indian Chess School. It brings together some of the strongest players from India and around the world, with an average rating of 2359. The tournament follows a classical format of a 9-Round Swiss League, providing an ideal platform for players to compete for rating points, title norms, and substantial prize money. The total prize fund for the Masters Section is Rs 35 lakhs, with the winner taking home Rs 8 lakhs.
Top Seeds and International Representation
GM Iniyan Pa of Tamil Nadu, the reigning National Champion, is the top seed with a rating of 2573, followed by GM Sankalp Gupta (2553) and GM Abhijeet Gupta (2540). India has 32 players in the competition, while other represented countries include Belarus, Egypt, Russia, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Ukraine, Slovakia, Scotland, Vietnam, Canada, the United States, Costa Rica, Cuba, and FIDE.
Concurrent Tournaments: Challengers and Junior Masters
Running alongside the Masters Section are the 360 One Global Challengers B Category Tournament and the Junior Masters Tournament. The B Category is designed for ambitious players aspiring to reach the elite Masters level. Open to players rated below 2300, the Challengers Section offers a rare opportunity to compete in a world-class tournament environment while testing skills against strong opposition. The 2026 edition has attracted an impressive field of 225 players, making it one of the largest sections of the festival. The prize fund for the Challengers Section is Rs 15 lakhs. In a landmark initiative, the champion of the Challengers Section will earn a direct qualification to the 2027 Masters Tournament, regardless of rating. Leading the field is FM Madhvendra Pratap Sharma (2373), supported by a strong contingent of titled players and rising stars.
Junior Masters: Richest Tournament for Juniors
The 360 ONE Junior Masters Chess Tournament is billed as the Richest Tournament for Juniors in the World, with a prize fund of Rs 10 lakhs. It provides young talents a world-class platform to showcase their abilities. The 2026 edition has attracted 125 young players from India, the United States, and Zambia, with an average age of just 11 years. Former participants and champions include India's brightest talents such as D. Gukesh (reigning World Champion), R. Praggnanandhaa, Divya Deshmukh, and Pranav Venkatesh. Beginning this year, the champion of the Junior Masters Section will receive a direct qualification to the 2027 Masters Tournament, irrespective of rating.
