which served as the venue for the prestigious chess championship. The tournament witnessed enthusiastic participation from young, aspiring, and veteran chess players, creating an atmosphere of healthy competition and sportsman ship
Surat: The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Shri Mukesh D. Patel (Chairman – Gurukrupaa Group), who appreciated the efforts of the organizers and encouraged students to pursue chess as a means of developing strategic thinking and discipline.
The championship was conducted across Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-14, and Open categories, offering a competitive platform for players of all age groups. A total cash prize of ₹52,000 was distributed among the winners. In each category, the prize distribution was as follows:
1st Rank: ₹2,000
2nd Rank: ₹1,500
3rd Rank: ₹1,000
4th Rank: ₹800
5th Rank: ₹700
To promote inclusivity and recognize excellence, Special Awards were presented for Best Unrated Player, Best Veteran Player, Best Female Player, and Best Physically Challenged Player, each accompanied by a cash prize. Special recognition was also given to the Most Veteran Player and Best Physically Challenged Player for their inspiring performances.
In a noteworthy initiative to encourage girls’ participation in chess, trophies were awarded to the top five girl players in each category, acknowledging their skill and dedication.
The successful organization and overwhelming response made the 1st SGVS Chess Masters Cup 2026 at Shree Gurukrupaa Vidhya Sankul a landmark event, laying a strong foundation for future editions of the tournament.
Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika, a 7-year-old chess prodigy from Surat, Gujarat, was awarded the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 by President Droupadi Murmu on December 26, 2025.
She also participated in this event in 1st SGVS chess masters cup 2026 and won all matches in under her age group
