The 36th National Under-17 Girls Chess Championship 2026, held in Jammu, concluded with a historic victory as Fide Master (FM) Prishita Gupta from Delhi lifted the championship trophy. Navigating through a highly competitive field organized by the All J & K Chess Association under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation.
Prishita maintained an exceptional unbeaten streak to claim the sole lead and ultimately secure the national crown. Her stellar performance brings immense pride to the Delhi Chess Association, marking another major milestone in her rapidly rising chess career.
Facing off against the country's finest young talents, her strategic brilliance and composure under pressure solidified her status as one of India's most promising chess prodigies.
National U-17 Chess Championship 2026
The 36th National Under-17 Open and Girls Chess Championships 2026, held at the Kangra Fort Banquets and Resorts in Barnai, Jammu, witnessed a massive turnout. A total of 286 young players from 30 States and Union Territories across India traveled to compete in the intense 11-round classical event. The host region, Jammu and Kashmir, was represented by a strong contingent of 38 participants.
The Open Category Winners (Boys Section)
While Delhi's Prishita Gupta dominated the Girls' section, the Open Category saw a fierce battle that culminated in Adhiraj Mitra from Jharkhand emerging as the National Champion. The top podium placements for the boys included:
Champion: Adhiraj Mitra (Jharkhand)
Runner-Up: Haridev S. (Tamil Nadu)
Third Place: Vedant Garg (Chandigarh)
The Girls Category Runners-Up
To round out the elite podium finishes for the girls, Prishita was closely followed by two standout talents who put up spectacular performances over the 11 rounds:
Runner-Up: Shivamshika G. (Telangana) — who finished with a powerful 8.5/11 score.
Third Place: Saranya Devi Narhari (Andhra Pradesh).
Prize Pool and Cash Rewards Breakdown
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) instituted a combined total prize fund of INR 9,00,000 for the championship, which was split equally between the Open and Girls sections (INR 4,50,000 each). In total, the top 40 positions across both categories were awarded financial prizes.
The exact cash prize breakdown distributed to the top children included:
Champions (1st Place): INR 90,000 each
Runners-Up (2nd Place): INR 70,000 each
Third Place: INR 58,000 each
Fourth Place: INR 45,000 each
Fifth Place: INR 38,000 each
Sixth Place: INR 25,000 each
Seventh Place: INR 22,000 each
Eighth Place: INR 18,000 each
Ninth Place: INR 14,000 each
Tenth Place: INR 10,000 each
11th to 20th Positions: INR 6,000 each
Grand Closing Ceremony
The children received their hard-earned trophies and cash certificates from a distinguished panel during the prize distribution ceremony. The chief guest was Member of Parliament (MP) Sat Sharma, alongside Atul Kumar Gupta, Chairman of the Planning and Development Commission of the AICF. They praised the immense discipline and tactical intelligence displayed by the kids, emphasizing that this championship serves as a vital platform for selecting India’s official representatives for upcoming World, Asian, and Commonwealth junior chess stages.
Final Thoughts
The successful conclusion of the 36th National Under-17 Chess Championship once again highlights India's immense depth in youth chess. For champions like Prishita Gupta and Adhiraj Mitra, this victory is more than a national title—it is their official gateway to international prominence.
By securing the top spots in Jammu, these brilliant young minds have earned the prestigious honor of officially representing India at the upcoming World, Asian, and Commonwealth Youth Chess Championships later this year.
With the eyes of the global chess community firmly fixed on India's golden generation of grandmasters, the exceptional tactical brilliance, resilience, and maturity displayed by these under-17 prodigies prove that the future of Indian chess remains in incredibly safe—and formidable—hands.
Interview FAQ with National Champion Prishita Gupta
Q: How does it feel to win the National Under-17 Girls Chess Championship 2026?
A: It is an incredible feeling and a proud moment to bring the national trophy home to Delhi. The competition in Jammu was tough, with top players from across the country fighting for the title, so remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament makes this victory even more special.
Q: You have broken multiple records at a very young age. Can you share some of your previous milestone achievements?
A: Yes, I have been fortunate to achieve several milestones early in my journey. I was the first girl to win a national title under the age of 15. Additionally, I became the youngest player under 11 to secure a national title in the under-14 category.
Q: Beyond national tournaments, what has been your experience on the international circuit?
A: Representing India internationally has been a massive learning experience. One of my prominent international achievements includes being crowned one of the Commonwealth Under-16 Champions back in 2024.
Q: What are the next major goals you are focusing on in your chess career?
A: Winning this national championship gives me a lot of confidence moving forward. My immediate focus is to continue improving my standard rating, training harder with my coaches, and delivering strong performances for India on both national and international platforms.
