Chennai Grand Masters organizers announced that reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju will participate in the 2026 tournament. The event will take place from July 16 to 22 in Chennai, India. Gukesh participates in the event for the second time.

The number of players at CGM 2026 has been reduced from 10 to 8. 19-year-old GM Pranesh M will play in the Masters group as the 2025 Challengers winner. The remaining six players will be announced later this summer.

The Chennai Grand Masters is an annual, invitation-only, Classical tournament held in Chennai, India since 2023. Trading firm Quantbox is the main sponsor of the event. Gukesh Dommaraju gained 20 FIDE Circuit points by winning the 2023 event. The victory helped him secure first place in the Circuit and qualify for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024.

Credit: Michal Walusza / Norway Chess