Chennai - Chess Clubs, Tournaments & Learning
Discover chess in Chennai, home of Anand and Gukesh. Find local clubs, tournaments, and sharpen your game with Professor Archer in India's chess capital.
Published 2026-02-08 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Chess in Chennai
Chennai is, quite simply, the chess capital of India. This is the city that produced Viswanathan Anand, the five-time World Champion who transformed Indian chess, and more recently Dommaraju Gukesh, who became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion. The Tamil Nadu chess ecosystem is the most productive in the country, and Chennai sits at its heart.
The All India Chess Federation is headquartered in Chennai, and the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association oversees an extraordinarily active tournament circuit. On any given weekend, multiple rated tournaments run simultaneously across the city. The density of strong players in Chennai is remarkable - you might sit down at a club night and find yourself facing a titled player or a nationally ranked junior.
Chennai's chess culture is deeply embedded in the city's identity. Chess academies are found in virtually every neighbourhood, from T. Nagar and Mylapore to Anna Nagar and Adyar. The Chennai Chess Foundation and various private academies have produced a pipeline of talent that has given India one of the strongest chess nations in the world. The annual Chennai Open is one of the biggest events on the Indian chess calendar.
For Chennai players, Professor Archer's online training offers a complementary perspective. While local coaching is plentiful, a structured online curriculum provides variety and fresh ideas that can break through plateaus in development.
Chess Clubs in Chennai
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Chennai Chess Foundation
Address: Nungambakkam, Chennai - check their website for current venue details
Meeting Times: Open daily - check their website for current hours -
Mylapore Chess Academy
Address: Mylapore, Chennai 600004
Meeting Times: Monday to Saturday, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM -
Anna Nagar Chess Club
Address: Anna Nagar Tower Park area, Chennai
Meeting Times: Wednesday and Friday, 6:00 PM -
Tal Chess Academy
Address: T. Nagar, Chennai
Meeting Times: Weekdays 5:00 PM, Weekends 10:00 AM
Chess Tournaments in Chennai
- Chennai Open International - Annual
- Tamil Nadu State Championship - Annual
Professor Archer says: Chennai is sacred ground for chess. The city that gave us Anand and Gukesh has an unmatched chess culture. My advice to Chennai players is this: you are surrounded by brilliance - absorb it, study the games of your local champions, and let their excellence inspire your own.
Start Learning Chess with Professor Archer
Whether you're in Chennai or anywhere in the world, Professor Archer is ready to be your personal chess coach. No experience needed.