ISSO Chess Games Begin in Ahmedabad with 427 Young Players
Praggnanandhaa, Harsh Sanghavi Join Young Players as ISSO Chess Games Open in Ahmedabad
More than 400 school chess players have gathered in Ahmedabad for the ISSO Chess Games, with 102 international schools from across India taking part in the two-day competition at Adani International School.
The tournament began on September 11 and will continue through September 12, with players competing in Under-11, Under-14, Under-17 and Under-19 boys’ and girls’ categories.
The opening day also brought two prominent visitors to the school. Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa met the young players and spoke to them as the competition got underway. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also attended the event and encouraged the students taking part.
For many of the players, the tournament offers the chance to face competitors they would not normally meet in local school competitions. The field includes students from international schools across India, giving the event a national character.
Sanghavi said: “Scouting talent early and creating the right platforms at school-level to nurture and develop that talent are both important for building India’s sporting future. Events like the ISSO Chess Games allow young players to compete, gain exposure and take the next step in their sporting journey.”
Praggnanandhaa told the players: “It is wonderful to see so many young players coming together from schools across India and getting the opportunity to compete at this level. Tournaments like this are important in helping young players develop their game under pressure and adapt under a competitive environment. I hope everyone enjoys the experience, learns from each game and continues to work hard and pursue their passion for chess. I am happy to be here to encourage them and wish everyone all the best.”
The visit comes at an important point in Praggnanandhaa’s own career. The Indian player, who became a Grandmaster in 2018, has established himself among the world’s leading young chess players. FIDE’s current profile lists him with a standard rating of 2750 and ranks him 11th among active players worldwide in the July 2026 list.
His recent results have added to that record. In June, Praggnanandhaa won Norway Chess 2026 in Oslo after beating Fabiano Caruana in the final classical round. He then won the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz in August before taking the 2026 Grand Chess Tour title later that month.
He also qualified for the 2026 Candidates Tournament after winning the 2025 FIDE Circuit. That qualification placed him among the eight players competing for the right to challenge for the world championship.
For the children playing in Ahmedabad, his presence offers a direct connection with the highest level of the sport. His message to the participants focused on handling pressure, learning from individual games and continuing to work on their chess.
The ISSO Chess Games are part of the wider programme run by the International Schools Sports Organisation, which organises inter-school competitions for international curriculum schools in India. ISSO lists chess alongside sports such as swimming, athletics, badminton, tennis, table tennis, squash, karate, judo, taekwondo, archery, fencing, gymnastics, cricket, basketball and football.
The organisation’s 2026 events calendar confirms the Ahmedabad chess tournament for September 11 and 12, covering the four age groups for boys and girls. Adani International School is also listed as the venue for other ISSO competitions during the 2026 season.
This is not the first time Ahmedabad has hosted the ISSO chess event. The previous edition was held at Adani International School on September 6 and 7, 2025, with more than 80 international schools participating. The 2026 field has grown to 102 schools, according to ISSO and the organisers.
The current tournament has 427 players, according to ISSO founder Aakanksha Thapak. She said the number of participants showed the growing interest in school-level competitive chess.
“The participation of 427 players from 102 schools is a wonderful reflection of the growing interest in competitive chess at the school level. Having Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa with us to encourage the students makes the opening especially meaningful, and we are grateful to the Adani Group for its continued support of ISSO and its efforts to create meaningful sporting opportunities for young students,” Thapak said.
Chess gives school students a competition in which decisions made at the board can change the result within minutes. Players have to manage time, calculate possible moves and respond when an opponent changes the position. At school level, tournaments also give younger players their first experience of playing several serious matches against unfamiliar opponents.
The ISSO format separates competitors by age and gender, allowing players to compete within defined groups. The four age categories also bring together children at different stages of their school and chess development.
Adani Group is supporting the ISSO Games, while Adani International School is hosting the Ahmedabad competition. ISSO says it works with international schools and organises competitions designed around school calendars and age groups. Its website currently lists 470 partner schools, more than 18,300 participating students each year, 24 sports, 33 cities and more than 40 events.
The two-day chess competition will conclude on September 12. Until then, hundreds of young players will spend their time at the board, with results in each age group deciding who finishes at the top of the Ahmedabad event.
