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Time of India
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Chess: India gets 87th Grandmaster after Harikrishnan A Ra achieves his final GM norm in France
A detailed view of the board and pieces (Photo by) CHENNAI: Three months ago, A Ra Harikrishnan promised his coach Shyam Sundar that he would come back from the tournaments in Europe as a Grandmaster. The 23-year-old Chennai boy kept his word as he secured his third and final GM norm at the La Plagne International Chess Festival in France on Friday. Harikrishnan is the 87th Indian GM, and 32nd from Tamil Nadu. The first breakthrough for Harikrishnan came in July 2023 at the Biel International Chess Festival in Switzerland, where he earned his first norm. He added a second at the Lince Andujar Open in Spain in June. As a seven-year-old, Harikrishnan earned his FIDE rating, the youngest Indian to do so at that time. But it wasn't until 2018 that he earned the International Master title. Seven years later, he finally crossed the next big milestone. 'I took up chess when I was five, after I saw my brother Venkata Krishnan playing. He was a state-level player. After bagging the IM title, I was stuck there for a while. It was only in 2022 that I started playing seriously again and took part in back-to-back tournaments. It was also the year I started training with my coach Shyam sir , and we worked on a lot of stuff,' said Harikrishnan, whose mother, Renga Nachiar, is an international arbiter. One would think that with the GM title in hand, Harikrishnan would be on the next flight home, just as he had promised. But he isn't done yet. The hunger now is for rating points and eventually, a 2600 rating. 'I was a little more adamant this time that I really wanted to become a GM, but that wasn't the entire goal. I'm still aiming for more. I've already planned three more tournaments — in Morocco, Spain and Portugal — and I'd like to reach a rating of 2530 or 2540 before I return. Till I became a GM, it felt like a huge thing. But now that I've done it, it doesn't feel like a lot. Maybe the journey really is more beautiful than the destination,' he said. Harikrishnan (r) with his coach Shyam Sundar, who runs Chess Thulir academy in Chennai Even as the goalpost shifts, coach Shyam knows exactly what makes his student tick and what he needs to keep doing. 'We worked on calculations, dynamics and strategies. He also had a good understanding of the Reti opening, which was Vladimir Kramnik's favourite. So I made him go deeper into that and play more games using it. 'Now, I think openings will play a major role, because what helped him reach 2500 and become a GM might not be enough to go beyond. That's just the base. Now it's about working harder on openings and playing, beating more 2650-rated GMs,' said Shyam, who is currently serving as head of delegation for the Indian team at the Women's World Cup in Georgia. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
A Ra Harikrishnan, another GM from Chennai stable
Harikrishnan (r) with his coach Shyam Sundar, who runs Chess Thulir academy in Chennai CHENNAI: Three months ago, A Ra Harikrishnan promised his coach Shyam Sundar that he would come back from the tournaments in Europe as a Grandmaster. The 23-year-old Chennai boy kept his word as he secured his third and final GM norm at the La Plagne International Chess Festival in France on Friday. Harikrishnan is the 87th Indian GM, and 32nd from Tamil Nadu. The first breakthrough for Harikrishnan came in July 2023 at the Biel International Chess Festival in Switzerland, where he earned his first norm. He added a second at the Lince Andujar Open in Spain this June. As a seven-year-old, Harikrishnan earned his FIDE rating, the youngest Indian to do so at the time. But it wasn't until 2018 that he earned the International Master title. Seven years later, he has finally crossed the next big milestone. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai 'I started playing when I was five. My brother, Venkata Krishnan, was a state-level player and that's how I got into chess. After bagging the IM title, I was stuck there for a while. It was only in 2022 that I started playing seriously again and took part in back-to-back tournaments. It was also the year I started training with my coach Shyam sir, and we worked on a lot of stuff,' said Harikrishnan, whose mother, Renga Nachiar, is an international arbiter. One would think that with the GM title in hand, Harikrishnan would be on the next flight home, just as he had promised. But he isn't done yet. The hunger now is for rating points and eventually, a 2600 rating. 'I was a little more adamant this time that I really wanted to become a GM, but that wasn't the entire goal. I'm still aiming for more. I've already planned three more tournaments — in Morocco, Spain and Portugal — and I'd like to reach a rating of 2530 or 2540 before I return. Till I became a GM, it felt like a huge thing. But now that I've done it, it doesn't feel like that much. Maybe the journey really is more beautiful than the destination,' he said. Even as the goalpost shifts, coach Shyam knows exactly what makes his student tick and what he needs to keep doing. 'We worked on calculations, dynamics and strategies. He also had a good understanding of the Reti opening, which was Vladimir Kramnik's favourite. So I made him go deeper into that and play more games using it. 'Now, I think openings will play a major role, because what helped him reach 2500 and become a GM might not be enough to go beyond. That's just the base. Now it's about working harder on openings and playing, beating more 2650-rated GMs,' said Shyam, who is currently serving as head of delegation for the Indian team at the Women's World Cup in Georgia.
Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Meet Harikrishnan A Ra, India's 87th grandmaster
For a man chasing a grandmaster title since 2018, the final two steps were taken in the span of a few days. Harikrishnan A Ra became India's 87th grandmaster after a draw with P. Iniyan in the final game of the La Plagne International Chess Festival in France. After getting his first GM norm a few years ago, the Chennai-based player gained the next two he needed in two tournaments — gaining his second one at Andujar Open in Spain before earning the third in France — to get the highest title the sport has to offer. Harikrishnan smiles as he talks about his 'quite crazy months', as he has played seven tournaments outside India in a row now and will only return home after playing three more. He started this 10-tournament stretch at Dubai in the middle of May, then went to Croatia for a couple of events, before flying to Russia for the Asian League Teams Championship where he helped the Airports Authority of India Team claim bronze. Then there was a pitstop in Spain for another tournament where he earned his second norm, before earning this third norm at La Plagne in France. His travels are far from over: he is already on his way to Spain for another tournament before going to Portugal. While most other players take breaks between foreign trips to refresh themselves and regain mental strength, Harikrishnan prefers to go on a jet-setting tear of 9-10 tournaments at a stretch. 'This method doesn't work for many people. But if I plan to play in just two or three tournaments, usually it's going to be bad. Last year too, I played nine tournaments in a row. After four tournaments, I was not doing well. Then, in the final five, I improved my Elo rating to 2500. So bunching together tournaments usually works for me. For some reason, I get into my flow after four tournaments. This year too, after four tournaments, I got my two norms back-to-back,' Harikrishnan tells The Indian Express. When he earned this third norm on Friday, one of the first calls Harikrishnan made was to his coach, GM Shyamsundar Mohanraj, who runs Chess Thulir in Chennai, and was also responsible for India getting its 86th GM, Srihari LR. Usually, every time Harikrishnan sets off to play in a series of tournaments, he spells out a goal to his coach. It could be 'I'll only return after becoming a grandmaster' or 'I'll return with a 2600 rating'. So now that a seven-year-wait has ended, Shyamsundar wanted to know his ward's plan. He was wondering if Harikrishnan would like to come home. Instead, the 24-year-old mentioned the next three tournaments he was preparing for. 'That made me very proud. He's 24. Other players in his shoes might have felt that they have finally become a GM.'Chalo, ho gaya. Now time for a party.' But not him. In fact, his next event starts in two days,' Shyamsundar told The Indian Express. He paints a portrait of a guy who's completely devoted to his craft, to the point that he swore off social media recently. 'He doesn't have too many distractions. He doesn't get carried away. So if we're doing 10 to 12 camps of his rating level in a year, he used to be there in at least 90 percent of them,' the coach says. Now that the final GM norm is achieved, the two have a new objective for the next three tournaments. 'I told him since you've become a GM, now you should try experimenting a little bit (with playing styles etc) and see how it goes,' said Shyamsundar. Amit Kamath is Assistant Editor at The Indian Express and is based in Mumbai. ... Read More
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Rs 50,000 a month and countless sacrifices: How India's chess future shapes up in Chennai hut
GM Shyam's chess academy Pranav V and Srihari LR GM Shyam's chess academy Pranav V and Srihari LR GM Shyam's chess academy 1 2 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 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! by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Queensland: Slash Your Power Bills With a Battery Australian Solar Batteries Get Quote Undo 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.' ALSO READ: RCB fan who became a world champion: The story of chess prodigy Pranav V | Exclusive What the future holds ... 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.' Bombay Sport Exchange Ep 5: Shane Watson on how IPL gave him a lifeline & his tribute to Phil Hughes 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.'
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Srihari LR becomes India's 86th Grandmaster
A full year after getting its 85 grandmaster, India got its 86th GM after 19-year-old Srihari LR got the coveted title when he played against GM Iniyan Paneerselvam at the Asian Individual Men's Chess Championship which is going on right now at Al-Ain. Before Srihari, India's last grandmaster was Shyaamnikhil P, who earned the top title in the sport on 12th May, 2024. Srihari, who unsurprisingly hails from the state of Tamil Nadu, is coached by grandmaster Shyam Sundar at the academy called Chess Thulir. Shyam Sundar has also coached the likes of Pranav V. 'Congratulations for becoming the latest GM after securing the final GM norm here in the Asian open, Al Ain. It took nearly a year to get the final norm. Glad it happened now and time to focus on the next bigger goal! 2nd IM to GM from my academy!' Shyam Sundar posted on Instagram. Coming into the Asian Individual Men's Chess Championship, Srihari had earned his two grandmaster norms — the first coming at the Qatar Masters in 2023, while the second one came at the Chennai GM Open event in 2024. He had also crossed the 2500 rating threshold in the published ratings last year itself in August 2024. All Srihari needed was to play the game against Iniyan Paneerselvam at Al-Ain for him to secure his third norm that confirms his ascendency to the GM title. At Al-Ain, Srihari has gone unbeaten in eight games while his ninth game against Iniyan is still going on. Remarkably, eight of his games at the event have come against grandmasters. He has beaten Indian grandmasters Abhijeet Gupta and Pranav V while holding other GMs like AR Saleh Salem (from UAE), China's Xu Xiangyu, Pranav Anand, Aleksey Grebnev (representing FIDE) and Pranesh M to draws.
