Players Selection – Rules & Regulations

Procedure for selection of players from State to Zonal level:

  1. The top 4 players from the previous AICFB National Championship are directly qualified for the AICFB National Championship.
    Players ranked 5th to 14th are directly qualified for their respective Zonal Championships.
  2. The higher of either:
  • 15 players, or
  • 15% of the total number of participants who have played at least 80% of the rounds in the State Championship shall qualify for their respective Zonal Championships.
  1. Top 3 female players from the State Championship (excluding female players already qualified through the main list) will qualify for the Zonal Championship.
  2. Top 3 junior players from the State Championship (excluding junior players already qualified through the main list) will qualify for the Zonal Championship.
  3. One organizing entry may be granted to the organizers of each State Championship to participate in the respective Zonal Championship, upon request.
  4. One organizing entry may be granted to the organizers of each Zonal Championship to participate in the respective Zonal Championship.
  5. If any selected player from a State withdraws from the Zonal Championship due to a genuine reason, a maximum of 3 substitute players may be selected based on final standings of that State Championship.

Procedure for selection of Players from Zonal to AICFB National Chess Championship:

A total of 56 spots are available in the AICFB National Chess Championship:

  1. Top 4 players from the previous AICFB National Championship are directly qualified.
  2. Top 2 women players from the most recent AICFB National Women Championship are directly qualified.
  3. Top 2 junior players from the most recent AICFB National Junior Championship are directly qualified.
  4. 48 players are selected from 4 zones.
  • Each zone will be allocated spots based on the number of rated players in that zone.
  • A minimum of 7 spots will be allocated to each zone.
  1. If any selected player from a Zone withdraws due to a genuine reason, up to 3 substitutes may be selected based on final standings of that Zonal Championship.

Procedure for Selection to AICFB National Junior Championship

  • All junior players who participate in their respective State Championships approved by AICFB are eligible to participate in the AICFB National Junior Championship for that year.
  • If a State Championship is not held, juniors must have participated in any AICFB-approved tournament during that year to be eligible.
  • All rated junior players are directly eligible for the National Junior Championship

Procedure for Selection to AICFB National Women’s Championship

  • All female players who participate in their respective State Championships approved by AICFB are eligible to participate in the AICFB National Women’s Championship.
  • If a State Championship is not held, juniors must have participated in any AICFB-approved tournament during that year to be eligible.
  • All rated female players are directly eligible for the National Women’s Championship.

Direct Qualification Based on FIDE Rating

  • Players with a FIDE rating of 2000 and above are directly qualified for their respective Zonal Championships.
  • Players with a FIDE rating of 2200 and above are directly qualified for the National Championship.
  • Players with a FIDE rating of 2300 and above are directly selected for the Indian team representing the country in official IBCA events.
  • Ratings will be considered from the FIDE rating list as on April 1st of the current year.
  • Players seeking direct qualification must have participated in:
    • At least one FIDE-rated tournament, and
    • At least one AICFB-approved tournament in the last three years.

Mandatory Participation Rule

  • Any player selected from the State Championship who fails to participate in the Zonal Championship without a valid reason will be barred from all AICFB tournaments for one year.
  • Any player selected from the Zonal Championship who does not participate in the National Championship without a valid reason will be barred from all AICFB tournaments for one year.

Definition of Genuine Reasons

Valid/genuine reasons for non-participation include:

  • Hospitalization
  • Exams
  • Marriage
  • Other reasons subject to approval by the AICFB Executive Committee