Seven days. Eleven rounds. India's strongest young chess players. And a championship that ran remarkably smoothly. The 39th National Under-11 Open & Girls Chess Championship concluded in Mangaluru on 8 August 2026, bringing together some of India's finest young chess talents for an intense week of classical chess. Held from 2 to 8 August at the Urwa Indoor Stadium in Mangaluru, the championship was organized by the Dakshina Kannada Chess Association under the aegis of the Kar

"Some tournaments are remembered for the medals. Others are remembered for the experience." The 39th National Under-9 Open & Girls Chess Championship brought together 430 young players from across India—271 in the Open category and 159 in the Girls category. While the tournament showcased some of India's brightest young chess talent, what stood out equally was the overall experience created for players and their families. ShareChess was present throughout the championship to