Overview
- Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the event branding in Panaji, confirming Arpora, North Goa, as the venue and the Oct. 31–Nov. 27 schedule.
- Officials said 206 players from 82 countries are entered, with entries highlighted by India’s top grandmasters and 12-year-old Faustino Oro as the youngest participant.
- Organizers noted a presidential wildcard for Divya Deshmukh into the Open section following a late withdrawal.
- The anthem, sung by Daler Mehndi, has a video featuring the Prime Minister and leading Indian players, according to the AICF.
- Event materials describe a two-game head-to-head knockout with tiebreaks, byes for the top 50 seeds, and the top three finishers qualifying for the 2026 Candidates.