Unveiling of the Logo for the 62nd National Chess Championship–2025
The logo of the 62nd National Chess Championship–2025 was unveiled by the esteemed
Hon’ble Mr. Justice P. Sri Narasimha — Judge, Supreme Court of India
& Hon’ble Mr. Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur — Chief Justice, High Court of Andhra Pradesh,
Hon’ble Mr. Justice (Retd) D.V.V.S. Somayajulu — Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
other guests attended on the occassion:
Prof. Dr. D. Suryaprakash Rao — Vice-Chancellor, DSNLU along with
Sri Adusumili Suresh — President, Andhra Chess Association,
Sri K.V.V. Sarma — Chief Advisor.
Sri K Jagadish, Secretary, Andhra Chess Assocaition.
The prestigious National Chess Championship 2025 will be held from September 20 to October 1, 2025, at Vignan University, Guntur. Participants from across Andhra Pradesh and different parts of the country will take part in this national event including prominent grand masters and international masters.
A major highlight of the championship will be the participation of leading title-holders, including Women International Masters, Women Grandmasters, International Masters, and Grandmasters, who will display their skills in this high-profile tournament.
This championship will serve as a historic milestone in the growth of chess in Andhra Pradesh and will open up new opportunities for the state’s talented players to shine at the national level.
Some details of national championship are as under.
Indian National Chess Championship – Quick Brief (for the 62nd edition)
What it is
India’s annual National Premier Chess Championship, instituted in 1955, crowns the country’s official National Champion. It has produced generations of grandmasters and remains the most prestigious domestic title.
This year’s edition (62nd)
Host: ACA, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
Dates: 21 September – 1 October 2025
A short look back
First championship: 1955 (Eluru, Andhra Pradesh); winners: Ramchandra Sapre & Dharbha Venkayya (joint).
Through the 1960s–80s, the title helped launch India’s first IMs & GMs and laid the platform for Viswanathan Anand’s rise in the late 1980s.
The 2000s saw professionalisation—sponsorships, live broadcasts, and a surge of young GMs.
In the 2020s, India became a global chess powerhouse; many current worldtop players are former National Champions.
Notable champions (Men)
Manuel Aaron – record 9time champion; pioneer of modern Indian chess.
Praveen Thipsay – 7 titles across the 1980s–90s.
Surya Shekhar Ganguly – 6 titles in a row (2003–2008), a national record streak.
Viswanathan Anand – 3 consecutive titles (1986–88), before becoming India’s first World Champion.
Other modern-era winners: Krishnan Sasikiran, S.P. Sethuraman, Aravindh Chithambaram, Arjun Erigaisi, Karthik Venkataraman (reigning 2024 champion).
Recent Men’s champions
2015 – Karthikeyan Murali
2016 – Karthikeyan Murali
2017 – M.R. Lalith Babu
2018 – Aravindh Chithambaram
2019 – Aravindh Chithambaram
2022 – Arjun Erigaisi
2022–23 – Karthik Venkataraman
2023 – S.P. Sethuraman
2024 – Karthik Venkataraman
Note: The championship was not held in 2020–21 due to pandemic disruptions; it resumed from 2022
After you win: what the National title leads to
Direct pathway to the FIDE World Cup: In the current cycle, the top four finishers at Nationals (men & women) earn berths in the Chess World Cup (and Women’s World Cup). The World Cup is the global knockout that awards Candidates Tournament spots, the final gateway to a World Championship match.
National team consideration: Strong finishes at Nationals weigh in AICF selections and invitations for major events and training camps, alongside FIDE rating and international results.
Recognition & support: Champions receive prize money, national recognition, and often enhanced sponsorship/departmental opportunities.
Why the Nationals matter today
It remains the strongest all India classical event, showcases emerging talent, and serves as a selection & qualification hub for India’s representation on the world stage.
ACA.