World Trade Center Mumbai successfully hosted the 9th edition of the 360 ONE Global Chess Festival from June 10 to 18, 2026, reaffirming its position as a leading venue for international sporting, intellectual, and cultural events. Held at the WTC Mumbai campus in Cuffe Parade for the sixth consecutive year, the prestigious tournament attracted more than 500 participants from 16 countries.
The nine-day event featured an impressive lineup of Grandmasters, International Masters, and emerging chess talents from India and abroad, making it one of the country’s most prominent chess competitions.
Among the distinguished guests attending the closing ceremony was Aliaksandr Matsukou, Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai, who congratulated the winners and participants while praising the high level of competition and sportsmanship displayed throughout the tournament.
Commenting on the event, Vijay Kalantri, Chairman of World Trade Center Mumbai and President of the All India Association of Industries, highlighted the strong connection between chess and business, noting that both demand strategic thinking, discipline, patience, foresight, and effective decision-making.
Priya Pansare, Director of Trade and Investment Promotion at WTC Mumbai, emphasised the growing significance of chess in India and the role of tournaments such as the 360 ONE Global Chess Festival in nurturing young talent and promoting strategic thinking among aspiring players.
The tournament’s elite Masters Category was won by Iniyan Pa, the reigning National Chess Champion and National Blitz Chess Champion from Erode. Reflecting on his victory, Iniyan described the competition as one of the toughest tournaments of his career, citing the consistently high-rated opponents and intense level of play throughout the event.
In the Challenger Category, Nithin Babu secured the championship title, while Madhvendra Pratap Sharma emerged victorious in the Junior Masters Category. Both winners earned direct qualification to the Masters Category of the tournament’s milestone 10th edition next year.
The festival provided a competitive platform for players across various skill levels while fostering interaction between established professionals and emerging talents. Across the Masters, Challenger, and Junior Masters categories, participants engaged in high-quality competition that showcased the depth of chess talent in India and internationally.
Over the years, WTC Mumbai has hosted numerous global conferences, trade forums, business summits, cultural programmes, and sporting events. The successful hosting of the 360 ONE Global Chess Festival further strengthens its reputation as a destination for world-class events that promote excellence, innovation, and international collaboration.
