THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JANUARY 12, 2026

Odisha is poised to become the global capital of chess as the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) prepares to host the ‘Chess Mahakumbh – International Conference on Social & Educational Chess’ from January 14 to 16, 2026. Being organised for the first time in India, the prestigious international conference is hosted by KIIT University in association with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the All India Chess Federation (AICF), marking a historic moment for Indian chess.

The high-profile event will bring together some of the most influential figures in the world of chess, including Arkady Dvorkovich, President of FIDE and former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia; Grand Master Viswanathan Anand, Deputy President of FIDE and five-time World Chess Champion; Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of FIDE and former Finance Minister of Latvia; Nitin Narang, President of AICF; Dev A Patel, Honorary Secretary of AICF; and Ranjan Mohanty, Member of the FIDE Event Commission, among several other eminent dignitaries.

A major highlight of the Chess Mahakumbh will be the inauguration of the International Chess Hall and Chess Ground at the KIIT campus by Viswanathan Anand, a moment expected to inspire thousands of aspiring players. The conference proceedings and associated events will be hosted across the KIIT campus as well as Hotel Mayfair, Bhubaneswar, transforming the city into a vibrant hub of strategic brilliance and sporting excellence.

The scale of the event underscores its global significance, with eminent chess personalities from 40 countries confirming their participation. Over 5,200 participants are expected, including 43 FIDE delegates, 76 AICF delegates, 60 AOCA delegates and more than 5,000 chess players from across India, making it one of the largest chess congregations ever held in the country.

Expressing pride over hosting the landmark event, Dr Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT and KISS, said that bringing such a prestigious international chess conference to India for the first time is a matter of immense honour for Odisha. He noted that the Chess Mahakumbh will provide invaluable exposure to young chess talents from the state and serve as a powerful source of inspiration for future generations.

Under Dr Samanta’s leadership, KIIT and KISS have consistently promoted chess as a tool for intellectual development and social empowerment. While KISS has regularly hosted international chess tournaments, the KIIT International Chess Tournaments have earned national recognition for offering the highest prize money among chess events in India. With the Chess Mahakumbh, KIIT is set to script another defining chapter in India’s sporting and intellectual landscape, reinforcing Odisha’s growing stature on the global sports map.