Acropolis Mall, in association with the Bengal Chess Association, hosted the 3rd Invitational School Chess Championship 2026 today, reaffirming its commitment to promoting chess, indoor sports and intellectual development among school students.
The championship brought together more than 150 students from 60 schools across Kolkata, providing young chess enthusiasts with a competitive platform to showcase their strategic thinking, concentration, analytical abilities and decision-making skills. The championship was held at Acropolis Mall from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Students from several prominent schools participated in the championship, including Don Bosco School, St. Xavier’s Collegiate School, Mahadevi Birla High School, Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, DPS Ruby Park, South Point High School, Calcutta International School, The Heritage School and La Martiniere for Boys, among others.
The tournament featured an engaging six-round FIDE Swiss League format, allowing participants to compete against fellow school-level chess players while testing their strategic and tactical abilities. The competition was organised exclusively for school students, with participation offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Championship Results
Soumyadeep Nath of Lakshmipat Singhania Academy School emerged as the individual champion with a perfect score of 6 points from 6 rounds. Aurinjay Mukhopadhyay of Future Foundation School also secured 6 points and finished second on the basis of the Swiss tie-break rules. Darsh Murarka of Lakshmipat Singhania Academy School secured third place with 5.5 points.
The coveted ‘Best School’ title was awarded to Lakshmipat Singhania Academy School, which emerged as the overall winner with 16.5 points. Rammohan Mission School secured second place with 14.5 points, while BDM International School finished third with 12.5 points.
In addition, a total of 47 trophies were presented to deserving winners across various age categories, recognising outstanding performances by young participants.
The championship was further enriched by the presence of distinguished chess personalities, including Grandmaster Mitrabha Guha and Woman Grandmaster Nisha Mohta. Their participation gave the young players an opportunity to interact with and draw inspiration from accomplished figures in the world of chess.
Speaking on the occasion, Subhadip Basu, Corporate CGM – Retail & Hospitality, Merlin Group, said, “We are delighted to host the third edition of the Invitational School Chess Championship at Acropolis Mall. The overwhelming response to our earlier editions has reinforced our belief that malls can serve as vibrant community spaces where children can participate in meaningful sporting and intellectual activities. Chess teaches patience, discipline, strategic thinking and the ability to make thoughtful decisions—qualities that extend far beyond the chessboard. We are proud to partner with the Bengal Chess Association once again and provide young players with an engaging platform to compete, learn and draw inspiration from accomplished chess personalities.”
Atanu Lahiri said, “The Invitational School Chess Championship is a unique event that brings together the vibrant atmosphere of a public space with the competitive spirit of chess. Through this tournament, chess has found a new and engaging venue at a shopping mall, rather than being confined to conventional indoor venues. We thank Merlin Group and the authorities of Merlin Group for hosting this event and supporting the promotion of chess among school students.”
The championship reflects Acropolis Mall’s continued efforts to create engaging experiences beyond conventional retail, with a focus on sports, community participation and activities that contribute to the holistic development of young people. By providing school students with a platform to compete, interact and learn, the initiative seeks to make chess more accessible and appealing to the younger generation.