Marking 91 years of continued service to the community, the Rotary Club of Bangalore reaffirms its commitment to creating meaningful and inclusive social impact through community service initiatives. As part of this enduring legacy, the Club is proud to host a 19th AICFB National Chess Championship the Visually Challenged, in collaboration with the All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB), from 8th to 12th February 2026 at Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru.
Established in 1997, the All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting chess among the blind and visually impaired across India. AICFB is affiliated with the International Braille Chess Association (IBCA), the global apex body for chess for the blind, and the All India Chess Federation (AICF).
Over the past 28 years, AICFB has played a pivotal role in advancing chess for the visually impaired by building a strong nationwide governance structure, introducing a structured annual selection cycle, and ensuring consistent Indian participation in international competitions, including World Championships. Indian players supported by AICFB have delivered several medal-winning performances on the global stage. The Federation also organizes multiple national-level championships each year. With focused strategic planning and partnerships, AICFB aims to position India among the world’s leading nations in chess for the visually impaired within the next five years.
The Rotary Club of Bangalore has partnered with AICFB for the third consecutive year, underscoring its sustained commitment to inclusive sports and empowerment of persons with disabilities. The initiative is being led this year under the presidency of Mr. Sukhen Padmanabha, President, Rotary Club of Bangalore.
Chartered in 1934, the Rotary Club of Bangalore is one of India’s premier Rotary clubs, with a membership base of over 300 professionals. Over the past decade, the Club has invested more than ₹25 crore in its own community projects and has contributed over USD 1.4 million to Rotary International, supporting humanitarian causes across the globe.
This tournament stands as a celebration of resilience, talent, and inclusion, reinforcing the shared vision of Rotary Club of Bangalore and AICFB to empower the visually impaired through sport and opportunity.