Bhubaneswar is set to witness a historic moment in the world of chess as India hosts the Chess Mahakumbh International Conference on Social and Educational Chess for the very first time. The prestigious three day international event will be held from January 14 to January 16 at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology KIIT in Bhubaneswar in association with the International Chess Federation FIDE and the All India Chess Federation AICF. The global conference will bring together leading chess personalities educators administrators and players to discuss the social and educational impact of chess across the world.

The grand event will be graced by FIDE President and former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich along with India’s first Grandmaster and five time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand. Adding further significance to the occasion Anand will inaugurate the International Chess Hall and Chess Ground at the KIIT campus marking a major milestone for chess infrastructure in Odisha.

Chess Mahakumbh 2026 is expected to attract eminent chess personalities from 40 countries including around 80 delegates from India. Over 5,200 participants are likely to take part in the mega event comprising 43 FIDE delegates 76 AICF delegates 60 AOCA delegates and more than 5,000 chess players from across the country making it one of the largest international chess gatherings ever hosted in India.

Expressing pride over hosting the conference KIIT and KISS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta said it is a matter of immense honour for Odisha that KIIT is organising such a prestigious international chess conference for the first time in India. He emphasized that the event will provide significant global exposure and new opportunities for young chess players from the state while inspiring future generations to take up the sport and explore its educational and social benefits.

With world leaders in chess, visionary institutions, and thousands of players coming together, Chess Mahakumbh at KIIT Bhubaneswar is set to position Odisha as a new global hub for educational and social chess initiatives while creating a lasting impact on the development of chess in India.