Pursue Your Chess Scholarship
by HelpChess Foundation (ChessBase India Foundation)
Rs 1,75,000 scholarship
Annual scholarship from HelpChess Foundation funding coaching, travel and study material for promising Indian chess players.
Mode
Online
Fee
Free
Duration
Annual scholarship cycle, with funding disbursed as a monthly stipend over the year
Format
Individual
Time needed
A short online application; recipients commit to pursuing chess seriously over the funded year
Eligibility
- Age range
- Open to all ages
- Location
- Nationwide
Prerequisites
- Indian chess player with notable competitive results
- Demonstrated financial need
- Intent to pursue chess seriously over the next year
Open to any Indian chess player with demonstrated financial need and notable competitive results who intends to pursue chess seriously over the coming year. There is no age limit.
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Rewards and recognition
Award
Rs 1,75,000 scholarship
The 6th edition carries a fund of Rs 1,75,000, split among one to three recipients (for example Rs 1,00,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000), paid as a monthly stipend over the year. The fund grows by Rs 25,000 each edition.
Recognition
National recognition
What it covers
- Coaching and training
- Tournament travel and entry fees
- Chess study material
How to apply
- 1Watch for the next edition's call for applications on the ChessBase India and HelpChess platforms
- 2Complete the online application form with chess achievements and financial-need details
- 3Submit the form before the stated deadline for the edition
- 4Selected recipients are announced publicly and receive the funding as a monthly stipend
About this opportunity
The Pursue Your Chess Scholarship is the longest-running scholarship of the HelpChess Foundation, offering direct financial support to promising Indian chess players who need funds for training, tournaments, travel and study material.
It is open to any Indian chess player with demonstrated financial need and notable competitive results who intends to pursue chess seriously over the coming year. There is no age limit, and selection is by application review rather than any written examination.
The scholarship fund grows each edition and is shared among one to three recipients, paid as a monthly stipend across the year. Recipients are announced publicly across the ChessBase India platform.
The scholarship is funded by chess philanthropist Ashwin Subramanian and administered by the HelpChess Foundation, which has supported dozens of young Indian players through it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an age limit for the Pursue Your Chess Scholarship?
No. The scholarship is open to any Indian chess player with financial need and notable results; there is no age limit, and selection is by application review rather than a written examination.
How is the scholarship paid to recipients?
The fund is split among one to three recipients and paid as a monthly stipend over the year, with flexibility to release funds earlier when a player needs them for a tournament.
What does the scholarship cover?
Recipients use the funding for coaching and training, tournament travel and entry fees, and chess study material, so that financial constraints do not interrupt their progress.
When does the next edition open for applications?
The scholarship runs in annual editions. The next edition's application window is announced on the ChessBase India and HelpChess platforms; the 6th edition concluded with winners announced in March 2026.
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