Tamil Nadu has long been the heartland of Indian chess, producing more Grandmasters than any other state. From the trailblazing Viswanathan Anand to rising stars like R Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali R, and Gukesh D, the state continues to shape the country’s global presence in the sport.
Much of this success stems from a deeply rooted chess culture. In cities like Chennai and Coimbatore, schools regularly include chess as part of co-curricular activities, while local clubs and academies offer structured training from an early age. The presence of experienced mentors has made high-quality coaching accessible across socio-economic groups.
A Culture Nurturing Champions
“Anand’s rise changed how people viewed chess here,” says Grandmaster RB Ramesh, one of the country’s top coaches. “It made the sport aspirational. Now, when we spot talent early, there’s a system in place to nurture it.”
Academies like Chess Gurukul, founded by Ramesh, have been central to developing internationally competitive players. Training now goes beyond tactics — with equal focus on mental conditioning, nutrition, and tournament exposure.
Strategic Initiatives and Future Growth
Government support and an active state federation have also played a role. The Tamil Nadu State Chess Association frequently hosts open tournaments and age-group competitions, providing opportunities for young players to gain experience.
Recently, a new initiative called Chola Chess was launched in Chennai to further strengthen this ecosystem. Developed in collaboration with a financial institution and a local academy, the programme aims to scout and train children from underserved communities, combining coaching with psychological and physical development.
The initiative also integrates performance tracking, nutrition, mental wellness, and exposure to high-level tournaments — creating not just good players, but complete sportspersons. By investing in talent from a young age and combining it with world-class mentorship, Chola Chess aims to make India a consistent global force in chess for decades to come.
As India eyes a top-five finish in future Chess Olympiads and World Championships, the Chola Chess initiative — rooted in Tamil Nadu’s proven model of mentorship, infrastructure, and vision — could well serve as the future blueprint for how a nation nurtures champions from the ground up.