chess thulir

Superkids will meet Team Chess Gurukul in the 'Superfinal' of the Indian chess.com League on Sunday as they took the top two spots in the nine-round round-robin phase.

GM Shyam Sundar's Chennai-based academy is making waves by producing elite chess prodigies, including India's 86th grandmaster Srihari LR and FIDE Junior World Champion Pranav V. Shyam's coaching emphasises character, structured training, and camaraderie, fostering a supportive environment where students thrive. Despite financial challenges and personal sacrifices, Shyam remains dedicated to nurturing champions and instilling valuable life lessons.

A day after they fared poorly, Nagpur’s Divya Deshmukh and Raunak Sadhwani regained form to post crucial victories and help Super Kids finish on top of the table in the nine-round rapid event of Indian Chess.com League.

India's top chess players, including talented youngsters such as R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh, Nihal Sarin and national champion Aravindh Chithambaram will take part in the Indian Chess.com League to be played online from May 15-17.

18-year-old Pranav Venkatesh clinched the World Junior Chess Championship with unique preparation methods, including playing cricket in hotel rooms with his coach, GM Shyam Sundar. Pranav balanced his rapid blitz skills with the patience needed for classical chess, leading to his triumph in Montenegro, a title once held by Viswanathan Anand.

Chennai's V Pranav, fresh off recent victories including the World Junior Championship, is navigating the Chennai Grand Masters tournament without a coach, a rare move for a player at this level. Despite a loss to leader Vincent Keymer, the 18-year-old held seasoned GM Anish Giri to a draw. Keymer continues to lead, while Arjun Erigaisi trails closely.

LR Srihari, a 19-year-old from Chennai, has achieved the title of India's 86th Grandmaster, securing his final norm at the Asian Individual Championship. Despite a loss to Magnus Carlsen at the Qatar Masters, the experience motivated him significantly.

Chess culture differs greatly between North and South India. Vantika Agrawal highlights the lack of recognition for chess players in the North. In contrast, Tamil Nadu provides strong support, including financial aid and flexible schooling. This fosters a competitive environment. The challenge is to create a unified chess community. This will allow talent from all regions to flourish equally.

Thirteen-year-old Ilamparthi, initially an uninvited guest at a chess camp, has now become India's 90th Grandmaster. Guided by GM Shyam Sundar Mohanraj, his journey, despite financial hardships and family challenges, is marked by exceptional talent and unwavering discipline. The young prodigy's dedication promises a bright future in the chess world.

Teenager, currently without a coach, holds Anish; Keymer in sole lead