After the tremendous success of the South Zone leg in Bengaluru, the prestigious SOG Grandmasters Series has now moved to the West Zone, where the finals are set to take place on March 3-4 at Sahara Star, Mumbai. Former India Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has been announced as the brand ambassador for the West Zone Finals. This tournament, an initiative of the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF), is dedicated to promoting mind sports across India and identifying the country’s best strategic thinkers.
Massive Participation – Over 1.5 Lakh Registrations
With an overwhelming 1,50,000 registrations, this championship has solidified its place as India’s premier skill-based mind sports tournament in the online format.
- Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG): 78,000 players competed in online qualifiers, with 150 finalists advancing.
- Indian Chess Masters (ICM): 3,500 players registered, and 32 players (16 men, 16 women) reached the finals.
- Indian Chess Masters for the Blind (ICMB): The All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB) selected 16 top players through zonal competitions.
Ajinkya Rahane’s Thoughts on Mind Sports
Speaking on his association with the event, Rahane said:
“Mind sports are growing exponentially across the globe, especially with the rise of digital platforms and accessibility. I am delighted to collaborate with SOGF to promote mind sports in India. The strategic thinking, discipline, and problem-solving skills developed through these games will create future-ready individuals and strengthen India’s competitive presence on the world stage.”
Strengthening the Future of Mind Sports in India
The winners of the West Zone Finals will compete at the SOGF Grandmasters National Finals in New Delhi. In Bengaluru, the Major Dhyan Chand Scholarship (worth ₹28.80 lakh) was announced to support rising talent in mind sports, and the West Zone winners will also receive financial backing through this initiative.
A Unique “Phygital” Experience – Blending Digital & Physical Sports
The West Zone Finals will offer a “Phygital” (Physical + Digital) experience, creating an immersive and engaging event for players and audiences alike.
With the SOG Grandmasters Series, mind sports in India are getting the recognition they deserve, providing a structured and competitive platform for players, including blind chess athletes, to shine on a national and international stage.
