Delhi GM Open is back after two years with an enormous ₹1.21 Crore prize fund

by Shahid Ahmed - 13/02/2025

Delhi International GM Tournament is back after two years. The total prize fund combining three categories is ₹12100000, ₹5100000 for Category A and ₹3500000 for Category B (Below 1900) and Category C (Below 1700). The top three prizes in A are ₹700000, ₹600000 and ₹500000 each. That's not all. The top ten prizes in Category A are ₹100000 or more. Best Female and Best Foreign Player first prize is ₹100000 each. Entry is free for GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs. They will be offered free accommodation on twin sharing basis. The winner of the last two editions are - Aravindh Chithambaram and Arjun Erigaisi. They are now World no. 21 and 4. The next one can be you. The tournament is part of FIDE Circuit. So valuable FIDE Circuit points will also be up for grabs. Check out the article to find out all details about the tournament. Photo: Tournament circular

₹5100000 for Category A and ₹3500000 each for Category B and C

The 20th edition of this tournament was GM Aravindh Chithambaram. He is now World no.21. Before that, GM Arjun Erigaisi won the 19th edition and the current World Champion, GM D Gukesh finished second that event. With the addition of FIDE Circuit Points up for grabs along with a huge prize fund, it goes without saying that this has the potential to witness some of the top players of the world fighting for a lot more.

21st Delhi GM Open will take place from 7th to 14th June 2025 | Photo: Tournament Circular

GM Aravindh Chithambaram won the 20th edition in 2023 | Photo: Abhyudaya Ram

Arjun Erigaisi became champion of the 19th edition in 2022, the current World Champion - D Gukesh finished second | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

Glimpse of previous editions | Photo: Tournament circular

Schedule

Category A will take place from 7th to 14th June 2025. Category B (Below 1900) will be held from 7th to 10th June 2025. Category C (Below 1700) will occur from 11th to 14th June 2025.

Category A: 7th - 14th June 2025 | Source: Tournament circular

Category B (Below 1900): 7th - 10th June 2025 | Source: Tournament Circular

Category C (Below 1700): 11th - 14th June 2025 | Source: Tournament Circular

Prizes

The top three prizes in Category A is ₹700000, ₹600000 and ₹500000. Top ten prizes are ₹100000 or more. There are 55 main prizes. Best Female and Best Foreign player first prize is ₹100000 each. Check out the image below for more details. Norm achievers will get ₹10000 each apart from the other prizes if they are eligible to win.

Prize details for Category A | Source: Tournament Circular

The top three prizes in Category B is ₹400000, ₹300000 and ₹200000. Top ten prizes are ₹60000 or more. There are 125 main prizes. Best Female, Best Foreign and Best Unrated player first prize is ₹25000 each. Check out the image below for more details.

Prize details for Category B | Source: Tournament Circular

The top three prizes in Category C is ₹400000, ₹300000 and ₹200000. Top ten prizes are ₹60000 or more. There are 140 main prizes. Best Female, Best Foreign and Best Unrated player first prize is ₹25000 each. Check out the image below for more details.

Prize details for Category C | Source: Tournament Circular

Eligibility and Entry fee

Only players having the Standard rating will be as on 1st June 2025 will be eligible to participate. Accelerated pairing may be implemented. Entry is FREE for GM, IM, WGM and WIM. For everyone else, check the entry fee details. Additional ₹500 is charged after 1st May and till 5th June 2025. For more details, check the image below.

Eligibility and Entry fee for Category A | Source: Tournament circular

Players having the career FIDE rating 1899 and below (including unrated) for the last three years will be eligible to participate. Any player who finished first and second in rating restricted event in last one year on the start date of the tournament, are not eligible to participate. Entry fee is ₹5500. Additional ₹500 is charged after 1st May and till 5th June 2025. For more details, check the image below.

Eligibility and Entry fee for Category B | Source: Tournament circular

Players having the career FIDE rating 1699 and below (including unrated) for the last three years will be eligible to participate. Any player who finished first and second in rating restricted event in last one year on the start date of the tournament, are not eligible to participate. Entry fee is ₹5500. Additional ₹500 is charged after 1st May and till 5th June 2025. For more details, check the image below.

Eligibility and Entry fee for Category C | Source: Tournament circular

Tournament Rules and Accommodation

Category A: Total ten rounds will be played. The time control is 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1. GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs and foreign players above rating 2000 will be provided accommodation on double sharing basis.

Category A Rules and Regulations | Source: Tournament circular

Category B: Total ten rounds will be played. The time control is 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1. For more details, check the image below.

Category B Rules and Regulations | Source: Tournament circular

Category C: Total ten rounds will be played. The time control is 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1. For more details, check the image below.