NEW DELHI: "My father used to say that if wealth is lost, nothing is lost; if health is lost, something is lost; but if character is lost, everything is lost. So, I also want my students to be as genuine as possible," a proud coach in GM Shyam Sundar M recalls, just days after his 19-year-old protégé Srihari LR became India's 86th grandmaster by attaining his third GM norm at the Asian Individual Chess Championship in Al-Ain, UAE.
Over the last few months, GM Shyam and his students have been making waves for all their over-the-board heroics. From Pranav V emerging as the FIDE Junior World Champion to Srihari becoming India’s latest grandmaster and the elated coach claiming "there will be few more GMs in the coming months with God’s grace", Shyam Sundar's Chennai-based academy, Chess Thulir, appears on a mission to produce a batch of elite prodigies.
“I’ve been coaching informally for nearly a decade now, but I felt it needed a name, and that’s how Chess Thulir was born. 'Thulir' means blossom in Tamil, like how a flower blossoms,” Shyam tells TimesofIndia.com from Sharjah. “It started online during COVID-19 and gradually became a full-fledged offline academy.”
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Shyam’s transition from player to coach wasn’t sudden.
“Back in the 2018 Batumi Olympiad, I was already helping the Indian team. Even before that, I mentored many who couldn’t afford professional guidance,” recalls the 32-year-old chess maestro.
“During 2016-2018, I realised financial constraints and lack of support held back many, and that’s why even I couldn’t become an elite-level grandmaster. That’s when I felt the need for a proper academy where players could train professionally."
A day at the academy
The uniqueness of Shyam Sundar’s coaching lies in its structured yet fluid approach, covering all aspects: opening theory, practical psychology, and even game-day opponent assessments.
Sessions often begin at 10 a.m. and stretch to 5 p.m., including rigorous game analysis and situational problem-solving, with a one to one-and-a-half-hour break in between.
Post-lunch, the team often heads outdoors, playing cricket or badminton: a routine that has built some commendable camaraderie within the group.
“Everyone’s equal on the turf. Ratings don’t matter there. We laugh, compete, and bond. That’s a huge part of the academy’s soul,” the coach adds.
Most players training under Shyam are already above 2300 Elo, including several International Masters and Grandmasters.
Camps are typically conducted once or twice a month. During camps, however, Shyam becomes a bit strict: "I usually conduct camps for specific rating brackets. Like, if I’m doing it for 2400+ players, I rarely include someone slightly below that, only if they show strong potential. Even if the camp isn’t financially rewarding, I prioritise maintaining that high standard."
More than a mentor
Shyam’s emotional investment in his students goes beyond the 64 squares as he adds, “I consider most of my students like my own kids. That helps them open up, not just about chess, but about life too.”
“I want them to play active, dynamic chess. No playing for draws. I lead by example. Like, even when I play them, I push aggressively. They must see me practice what I preach.”
However, the Gen-Z mindset, he admits, can get ‘tricky’.
“With so much material online, they can get lost. My job is to channel that curiosity in the right direction, keep it structured and focused. Even after the camp ends, I continue mentoring them, tracking what they’re studying daily, what kind of chess content they’re consuming,” Shyam explains.
"I'm really glad there’s no unhealthy competition in my academy. The players are more like friends. They freely share opening files and knowledge without hesitation."
Challenges in running an academy
But nurturing champions doesn’t come cheap. “Running an academy is extremely stressful,” Shyam confesses. “In Chennai, I spend around Rs 50,000 a month just for the basics, like rent, electricity, Wi-Fi. And if I’m travelling for 30-40 days with a player, the academy earns nothing during that period. It’s a heavy toll. Sometimes, I feel like giving up.”
There’s also the growing pressure of expectations, with parents often demanding GM-only coaches for their kids, and trainers, tempted by better offers, slipping away.
“Sometimes I feel like downsizing, moving fully online, or just doing commentary or writing articles that would be far easier and financially rewarding.”
A key factor in the academy’s sustainable success, however, is Tamil Nadu’s chess-friendly ecosystem. Many schools in Chennai offer academic leniency, granting extra holidays and understanding players’ commitments, while also providing financial support to prodigies.
"When Gukesh won the World Championship, he was gifted a car by his school," shares Shyam, who takes solace in his students’ achievements despite the personal sacrifice of spending less time with his family.
“I miss time with my family, my daughter’s four now, and I don’t get to see her much. But I keep telling myself: to gain something, something must be given.”
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With his students achieving milestone after milestone, Shyam remains grounded in his method: “In today’s AI-driven world, we’re flooded with computer-generated ideas and influenced by social media. Like they say, even a genius mind can make elementary mistakes. I try to convey the human way of thinking.”
With a focus on creating more GMs, the coach signs off with humility and hope: “My motto is simple: Be good. Do good. God will take care of the rest. These past few years have been tough, but maybe that’s just God preparing me for something bigger. And if that ‘something’ means helping these kids become champions, in chess and in life, then it’s all worth it.”
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