Bengaluru, 21st July: Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru successfully concluded the Battle of the Boards, a week-long chess festival held from 13–19 July 2026, bringing together chess enthusiasts of all ages for seven days of strategy, learning and competition. The festival witnessed an overwhelming response with 275 participants across it’s the week, reinforcing the growing popularity of chess among Bengaluru's youth and families.
The key highlight of the festival was the Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Praveen Sagar, who led the Masters Showcase & Workshop. Conducted in two interactive batches, the workshop attracted participants from across the city, with the Grandmaster sharing strategic insights, analysing games in real time and interacting personally with aspiring players. The session offered young chess enthusiasts a unique opportunity to learn directly from one of India's accomplished chess professionals.
The excitement continued 18th July with the much-awaited Challenge the Arena Grandmaster, where participants tested their skills against AGM Praveen Sagar. The simultaneous chess exhibition featured selected players competing against the Grandmaster, followed by the Face the Master Challenge, allowing additional participants to play individual games in an engaging and memorable experience.
The festival concluded on 19th July with the Grand Chess Tournament, which saw 60 participants compete across. The tournament showcased exceptional talent, strategic thinking and sportsmanship, making for a thrilling finale to the week-long celebration.
Tournament Winners
Champion
Name: Shreyas S G
1st Runner-Up
Name: Pranav Ganesh Prabhu
Second Runner-Up
Name: Lochan Adithya
Third Runner-Up
Name: D Neha Srinibash
Commenting on the success of the event, Rama Raju, Senior Vice President – Retail, Bhartiya Urban said: “The response to Checkmate Bengaluru has been truly encouraging and reflects the growing enthusiasm for chess as a sport that brings together people across generations. It has been wonderful to see children, students, families and seasoned players come together to learn, compete and celebrate the game. At Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru, we are committed to creating experiences that go beyond shopping by fostering community engagement through meaningful events that inspire learning, creativity and connection. We look forward to curating many more such experiences for our community”.
Arena Grandmaster Praveen Sagar said, "It was a pleasure to see such incredible enthusiasm for chess throughout the festival. Watching young players, families and aspiring enthusiasts engage with the game, ask questions and challenge themselves was truly inspiring. Initiatives like Checkmate Bengaluru play an important role in making chess more accessible, nurturing young talent and encouraging the next generation to develop critical thinking, discipline and confidence through the game.”
Through the Battle of the Boards, Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru once again reaffirmed its commitment to creating immersive community experiences that combine learning, recreation and meaningful engagement. By bringing together players, families, students and chess enthusiasts under one roof, the festival celebrated not only the game of chess but also the values of patience, discipline, critical thinking and sportsmanship.
