Chennai Grand Masters returns with biggest field yet, featuring Arjun Erigaisi, Anish Giri, Vidit Gujrathi

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 22 (ANI): With its largest field and prize pool yet, the Chennai Grand Masters, India's most prestigious classical chess tournament, returns for its third edition from August 6 to 15 at the Hyatt Regency Chennai.
Featuring 20 players across the Masters and Challengers categories, the 2025 edition marks a new high for the tournament with a Rs 1 crore prize pool as competitors chase FIDE Circuit points vital for qualifying for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
The tournament will be split into two categories: Masters and Challengers. The Masters field boasts global stars and Olympiad champions, including Anish Giri, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, Nihal Sarin, Jorden Van Foreest, Liang Awonder, Vincent Keymer, Ray Robson, Vladimir Fedoseev, and Pranav V, who steps up after winning the Challengers in 2024.
"The Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters has quickly established itself as one of the world's most significant classical tournaments. It brings together a field of extraordinary depth, where India's brightest talents battle established global stars. With FIDE Circuit points and Candidates qualification on the line, this year's edition is not just a test of skill, but it's a pivotal event in the world chess calendar. Our goal is to make Chennai a permanent fixture for elite chess and a place where future champions are forged," said GM Srinath Narayanan, VP of MGD1, as quoted from a press release.
The Challengers category, introduced last year, returns as a proving ground for India's brightest emerging players. It features Karthikeyan Murali, Leon Mendonca, Vaishali R, Harika Dronavalli, Abhimanyu Puranik, Aryan Chopra, Adhiban Baskaran, Iniyan P, Diptayan Ghosh, and Pranesh M.
The Masters champion will take home Rs 25 Lakhs, with Rs 15 Lakhs and Rs 10 Lakhs for second and third place, respectively, while the Challengers' winner will receive Rs 7 Lakhs and a guaranteed place in the 2026 Masters. The tournament also carries FIDE Circuit points, with the winner earning 24.5 points towards the 2026 Candidates qualification. In the case of joint winners, each will receive 22.3 points, while second and third place will earn 17.8 and 15.6 points, respectively.
"Playing such a high-stakes tournament at home is always special. As the top-rated player here, I know the expectations are high, but the field this year is extremely competitive, and every game will demand my absolute best. Events like the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters are vital, not just for players chasing global goals, but also for building a stronger chess culture and inspiring the next generation of Indian talent," said GM Arjun Erigaisi. (ANI)