360 ONE Global Chess Festival Hosted at WTC Mumbai for Sixth Consecutive Year, Showcasing Top Grandmasters and Emerging Talent 

POSTED BY MRUNALI SAKPAL ON DATED 19/06/2026

Mumbai, (RMN.IN): The World Trade Centre Mumbai (WTC Mumbai), Cuffe Parade, successfully hosted the 9th edition of the 360 ONE Global Chess Festival from June 10 to June 18, 2026. Hosted at WTC Mumbai for the sixth consecutive year, the nine-day event, widely regarded as one of India’s most prestigious chess tournaments, attracted over 500 participants from 16 countries, including leading Grandmasters, International Masters and emerging chess talent from across India and around the world.

Mr. Aliaksandr Matsukou, Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai, was among the Special Guests on the final day of the tournament and congratulated the winners and participants. He appreciated the high standard of competition and expressed admiration for the talent, discipline and enthusiasm displayed by the players.

Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries, said, “We are proud to host the 360 ONE Global Chess Festival at WTC Mumbai for the sixth consecutive year. With over 500 participants from 16 countries, the festival reflects the growing popularity and global appeal of chess. Chess is closely aligned with the world of business, as both require strategic thinking, patience, foresight, discipline and conscious decision-making. Like business, chess is a game of acumen where every move matters, and when strategy, timing and execution come together, it leads to success.”

Ms. Priya Pansare, Director, Trade and Investment Promotion, World Trade Center Mumbai, said, “Chess is gaining remarkable significance in India, especially with the rise of young Indian talent on the global stage. Platforms such as the 360 ONE Global Chess Festival play an important role in nurturing competitive spirit, discipline and strategic thinking among players. We are proud to host such promising talent at WTC Mumbai, and it is noteworthy that several leading players, including Grandmaster D. Gukesh, have been associated with this tournament in earlier editions.”

The tournament concluded with Grandmaster Iniyan Pa, the reigning National Chess Champion and National Blitz Chess Champion from Erode, emerging victorious in the elite Masters Category. Grandmaster Iniyan Pa said, “This was one of the toughest tournaments I have participated in. It is not common to face players rated above 2300 and 2400 Elo right from the opening rounds. Every game here was a battle, with no settling-in period, and each round demanded complete concentration. The event was extremely well organised.”

The nine-day festival witnessed intense competition across three categories, Masters, Challenger and Junior Masters and attracted some of the finest chess talents. The tournament not only showcased elite-level chess but also provided a valuable platform for young and aspiring players to compete alongside experienced professionals.

In the Challenger Category, Nithin Babu emerged champion, while Madhvendra Pratap Sharma secured the Junior Masters title. Both players earned direct qualification to the Masters Category of the tournament’s landmark 10th edition scheduled for next year.

Over the years, WTC Mumbai has hosted several national and international conferences, trade forums, business summits, cultural programmes and sporting events, reaffirming its role as a leading platform for international trade and investment promotion, intellectual engagement, excellence and global connectivity. The successful hosting of the 360 ONE Global Chess Festival further strengthens WTC Mumbai’s reputation as a preferred destination for world-class events that bring together talent, innovation and excellence.