Bhubaneswar, Sept 21: The Odisha Chess Association for the Visually Challenged (OCAVC) is set to organize the 2nd PROCHESSTA CUP: Odisha State Chess Championship for the Visually Challenged 2025 on 21st September 2025 at Prochessta, Bhubaneswar, with the support of the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha, and ProChessTA.
The one-day event will feature five rounds with a 25+10 time control. The response has been overwhelming, with close to 50 registrations from over 15 districts, cutting across students, professionals, men, and women alike.
This tournament marks the first step in a rigorous selection process, where qualifying players advance to the zonal level, then to the national stage, and from there, earn the opportunity to represent India at the international level. From this championship, 21 players will qualify — the top 15 finishers, along with the best three women and best three juniors — to represent Odisha in the AICFB East Zone Chess Tournament to be held in Kolkata from 16–18 October 2025.
Soundarya Kumar Pradhan, General Secretary of OCAVC, said: “We are delighted with the response. OCAVC will continue to nurture talent, create platforms for excellence, and push for national and international participation.
Our mission is disability inclusion through sports.” Tournament Director IM Swayansu Satyapragnya added: “Participation from across Odisha is inspiring. Chess is more than a game; it builds confidence, resilience, and a sense of inclusion.”
This follows OCAVC’s recent milestones — the successful conduct of the 1st Prochessta Cup in February 2025 and hosting of the prestigious 18th AICFB National Chess Championship for the Visually Challenged. Building on these achievements, the association is now taking another step to nurture talent and promote inclusivity through chess.
