SOGF's Grandmaster Series Is A Phygital Gaming Tournament For Cognitive Sports In India

India is buzzing with pride ever since Gukesh Dommaraju clinched the title of World Chess Champion, proving once again that when it comes to brainpower, we’re in a league of our own. And now the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) is aiming to discover India’s finest gaming talents and put them on a global stage through their own initiative.

They've just launched their SOG Grandmasters Series which dives deep into skill-based mind sports like chess and rummy, games that have been a part of India’s socio-cultural fabric for centuries. It’s a celebration of India’s deep-rooted love for these sports reimagined for the digital age. With over 55,000 registrations pouring in for the online qualifiers, it’s clear that there's a large number of players across the country ready to showcase their strategic brilliance.

The Federation has tied up with the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA), a global authority on cognitive sports. This partnership gives the Grandmasters Series some serious street cred and aligns Indian gaming with international standards, creating a platform where players can thrive, compete, and represent India with pride. The championship’s goal is ambitious but exciting: to discover and nurture one lakh gaming talents nationwide. And with a whopping prize pool of over ₹2 crores.

For its debut, the series features three flagship tournaments: Indian Chess Masters (ICM), Indian Chess Masters for Blind (ICMB), and Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG). This will take place in a 'phygital' format they’re adopting — a blend of physical and digital gaming. The online qualifiers are already done, and the action kicks off in Bengaluru this December for the South Zone finals where top-notch players will battle it out in a mix of digital and on-ground formats, with the excitement and drama of live competition.

Robin Uthappa, former Indian cricketer and mental health advocate is stepping in as the face of the South Zone finals. Uthappa’s story of resilience and mental strength makes him the perfect spokesperson for this initiative. And he’s hyped to see gaming talent come alive.

The Nationals, scheduled for March 2025 in Delhi, promise to be nothing short of epic. From chess wizards to rummy pros, the series aims to unearth a goldmine of talent. For blind chess players, the federation has also collaborated with the All-India Chess Federation for the Blind, ensuring inclusivity and spotlighting incredible talent that often goes unnoticed. Celebrating the cognitive excellence of the country we're so well known for around the world, the series Is a call for India’s gamers to step up, think big, and play hard. Who knows? The next Gukesh Dommaraju might just be gearing up for their big break here.

Follow SOGF here for more info.

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