Every parent wants the best for their child in all aspects of life, as they want them to be confident, patient and independent thinkers. They want them to make better decisions, learn from their mistakes and handle challenges with maturity. But when we choose an extracurricular activity for them, how often do we think beyond the skill they will learn? Or how is it going to be beneficial for long-term development?
In today’s competitive world, a child’s progress is often measured through grades, certificates, trophies and achievements. While these milestones have their place, some aspects of development are less visible and cannot always be captured through a report card. The ability to think before acting, approach challenges with patience, and learn from mistakes are equally valuable experiences in a child’s growing years. These qualities develop over time through a child’s experiences and the environment they are surrounded with that helps them in their overall holistic development.
This is where extracurricular activity comes into the picture. Beyond providing children with an opportunity to explore their interests, these activities can introduce them to situations where they must make decisions, solve problems, work with others and navigate their challenges. However, the value of an activity lies not simply in enrolling a child but also in how they experience it, the guidance they receive and the opportunities they have to learn along the way. This raises an important question for parents: How do we choose activities that offer children the opportunity to grow, rather than simply engrossing them in some activity?
One activity that offers a particularly interesting perspective on learning and development is chess. At first, we might imagine it as a game of strategy, tactics and competition, which is a valid statement. Yet, every game presents a child with a series of decisions like which move to make, which possibilities to consider, when to be patient and how to respond when things do not go as planned. These factors make chess more than an exercise in learning moves. They create opportunities for children to practice critical thinking, reflecting on their decisions, enhancing cognitive development and engaging with challenges in a structured environment.
Every move in chess involves a decision. A child must evaluate the position, consider different possibilities, and anticipate how their opponent might respond. Moving a piece without thinking through the consequences can lead to a mistake, while taking a moment to calculate a position may reveal an opportunity they would otherwise have missed. This reflects an important concept that is learning to think before acting. Over time, chess lessons can encourage children to develop a deliberate approach to decision-making. They learn to evaluate a position by self-talking and asking questions such as, “What happens if I make this move?” or “What could my opponent do next?” This process makes them introduce to the importance of considering alternatives and thinking about consequences before acting.
For parents, this presents an interesting learning opportunity. Children are constantly faced with decisions in their everyday life; whether they are solving a difficult problem or managing their time, making decisions is part and parcel of life. Although the ability to think carefully during a chess game does not automatically translate into every area of life, chess provides a structured setting in which children can practice evaluating choices and reflecting on their decisions.
Imagine a child who has been playing well throughout a game but suddenly overlooks an opponent’s threat and loses a valuable piece. The child might feel frustrated, demotivated or disappointed, yet this moment can become an important part of the learning process. When children analyse their games, they have the opportunity to review and understand where they went wrong, understand what better could have been played in a particular position and consider what they might do differently next time. This process connects to metacognition: the ability to reflect on one’s own thinking and evaluate the decisions that led to an outcome. The way adults respond to these situations also matters. When every mistake is treated as a failure, children may become more concerned about avoiding criticism than understanding what happened. In contrast, constructive feedback can help them approach mistakes with curiosity and help them understand that one mistake or one lost game does not define their ability to learn and improve.
One of the most interesting aspects of chess is that children rarely know exactly how a game will unfold. A promising position can change in a single move, an opponent can introduce an unexpected challenge, and a carefully considered plan might be needed to execute the position well. These situations offer children opportunities to experience uncertainty, reconsider their choices and adapt when circumstances change. They learn that having a plan is important, but recognising when a plan is no longer working is equally valuable.
For parents, this raises an important question: Are we preparing children only to succeed when things go according to the plan or are we also helping them navigate situations when they do not? Chess cannot prepare a child for every uncertainty in life, but it can provide a structured environment in which they can practice adapting their thinking when faced with unexpected challenges.
The next time your child finishes a chess game, ask them not only, “Did you win?” but also, “What did you learn today?”
-Prisha Kapadia COO & Director of Chess-inSchools & E-learning
The Chess Course – a Curriculum, Volume 1: Building Strong Foundations Through Practice
A child has just learned how a rook moves. The explanation seems clear, and the first few exercises have gone well. But can the child apply that understanding to a different position—where other pieces block the rook’s path or a capture becomes possible?
This is where practice becomes an essential part of learning.
The Chess Course – a Curriculum, Volume 1 for Beginners, by Praful Zaveri, is a workbook designed to accompany The Chess Course. With 24 chapters and 400 questions, it gives beginners additional opportunities to apply their lessons, strengthen their understanding and build a sound foundation.
Two Books, One Structured Learning Journey!
At Indian Chess School, the main book and the workbook have complementary roles.
The Chess Course—also referred to as the “Main Book” or “Parent Book”—provides the explanations, illustrative examples and initial exercises. Volume 1 extends that learning through additional solving.
The corresponding beginner topics in the main book contain 164 questions. Volume 1 provides a further 400 questions, giving students more practice before they move ahead.
Both the teacher and the student use the two books, following a clear sequence.
Understand the Lesson
The trainer first explains the relevant chapter from the main book, demonstrating the ideas and discussing them with the student.
Attempt the Main-Book Exercises
The student completes the exercises that follow the explanation. These provide an initial opportunity to apply the lesson and reveal any difficulties.
Reinforce the Learning with Volume 1
The student then attempts the corresponding exercises in the workbook. Different positions encourage the learner to think afresh and apply the same principles in varied situations.
Review and Record Progress
The trainer checks the answers, discusses mistakes and awards marks for the chapter. The completion date is also recorded, creating a useful record of the student’s progress.
The Rook: Four Initial Exercises, Sixteen More Opportunities to Learn
Consider the lesson on the rook.
The main book introduces the piece and provides four exercises. Volume 1 follows this with 16 additional exercises on the same topic.
These include deciding whether a rook can reach a marked square and identifying the squares available to it in different positions.
A rook moves along ranks and files—but applying that rule requires the student to examine the position, notice obstructions and decide which moves are possible.
Working through varied examples helps the trainer check whether the student has understood the idea and can apply it independently.
What Does Volume 1 Cover?
The workbook takes beginners through the essentials of chess in a structured progression, including:
• The chessboard and chessmen. • The movement of each piece. • Algebraic chess notation. • Recording moves and captures. • Playing through a recorded game. • Recording a game on a scoresheet. • Castling and en passant. • Check and the ways to respond to it. • Recognising checkmate. • The relative value of the chessmen.
These topics establish the knowledge a beginner needs to play and record a game correctly, while preparing for further study.
Making Progress Visible
The workbook also provides a way to follow the student’s development.
Marks help the trainer identify topics that need revision. Recording completion dates shows how the student is progressing through the course. The book includes a Course Completion Report and an Appraisal Report to support this process.
For parents, the completed workbook becomes a visible record of their child’s effort. They can see the questions attempted, the work assessed and the lessons completed.
For trainers, it supports a consistent approach to teaching, practice and review.
Learning from Mistakes
An incorrect answer can be a useful starting point for a conversation.
Did the student overlook a piece blocking the way? Confuse the movement of two pieces? Miss a threat to the king?
Discussing the reasoning behind an answer helps the trainer address the difficulty before introducing the next topic. Students also learn that checking their thinking and correcting mistakes are natural parts of learning chess.
The emphasis is on thoughtful solving, feedback and understanding.
A Strong Beginning, One Lesson at a Time
The Chess Course – a Curriculum, Volume 1 for Beginners, brings explanation, practice and assessment into a connected learning process.
The main book introduces the ideas. The workbook gives students more opportunities to use them. The trainer’s feedback helps turn that practice into understanding.
Together, the two books support the approach we value at Indian Chess School: teach clearly, practise thoughtfully and build strong foundations before moving forward.
Begin Your Child’s Chess Journey with Volume 1
Give your child more opportunities to practise, understand and build confidence with The Chess Course – a Curriculum, Volume 1 for Beginners.
The Greatest Victory Is the Victory Over Ourselves — A Dussehra Reflection Through Chess!
Dussehra reminds us that the greatest victory is not over others, but over our own weaknesses — a timeless lesson from chess and life.
Celebrating Vijayadashami through the timeless values of wisdom, courage, humility and perseverance.
Every darkness has an end. Every challenge has a solution. Every victory begins with courage.
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of India’s most meaningful festivals. It celebrates the triumph of Lord Ram over Ravan — a timeless reminder that righteousness ultimately prevails over evil, wisdom over arrogance, and truth over falsehood.
Yet, beyond the celebrations and the burning of Ravan’s effigies lies a profound message that remains relevant to every generation.
The greatest battles we fight are often not against others, but within ourselves!
The Ten Heads of Ravan — A Lesson in Self-Mastery
Ravan, despite possessing extraordinary knowledge, intelligence and strength, was ultimately destroyed by his arrogance and inability to master his desires.
His ten heads are often interpreted as symbols of the weaknesses that human beings must strive to overcome — anger, greed, ego, jealousy, pride, fear and other negative tendencies.
The message is powerful: knowledge without humility, intelligence without wisdom, and strength without righteousness can lead to downfall.
Interestingly, the game of chess teaches us remarkably similar lessons.
Chess — A Battlefield of the Mind!
A chessboard consists of just 64 squares and 32 pieces. Yet, within this seemingly simple framework unfolds an extraordinary battle of intellect, strategy, patience and determination.
Every chess player, regardless of age or playing strength, must confront challenges that extend far beyond the board.
A moment of anger can lead to a poor decision.
Overconfidence can turn a winning position into defeat.
Impatience can destroy hours of careful planning.
Fear can prevent us from making the right move.
And ego can stop us from learning from our mistakes.
In chess, as in life, our greatest opponent is often ourselves.
A successful chess player learns not merely to calculate variations or memorise openings, but also to develop emotional discipline, resilience, humility and the courage to accept responsibility for every decision.
Five Timeless Lessons from Dussehra and Chess
1. Wisdom Is Greater Than Strength
Lord Ram’s victory reminds us that wisdom and righteousness can overcome even the mightiest adversary.
Similarly, in chess, a seemingly weaker position can be transformed through sound judgement, creativity and intelligent planning.
2. Arrogance Is the Enemy of Success
Ravan’s downfall is a powerful reminder of the dangers of unchecked ego.
In chess, underestimating an opponent is often the first step towards defeat. Every player, regardless of rating or reputation, deserves respect.
3. Patience Is a Form of Strength
Great victories are seldom achieved through impulsive decisions.
Chess teaches us to remain calm, assess the situation and wait for the right opportunity — qualities equally essential in life.
4. Defeat Can Become the Foundation of Victory
Every chess player experiences losses. What distinguishes those who improve is their willingness to analyse mistakes, learn from setbacks and return stronger.
Life, too, rewards those who refuse to surrender to adversity.
5. True Victory Begins Within
Defeating an opponent may bring satisfaction, but conquering our own anger, fear, impatience and arrogance brings something far more valuable — personal growth.
That is perhaps the most enduring lesson of Vijayadashami.
Creating Chess Culture — Beyond the 64 Squares
At Indian Chess School, our philosophy has always been that chess education must extend beyond producing strong chess players.
We believe that the true value of chess lies in its ability to shape young minds, strengthen character and prepare children for the challenges of life.
Through structured chess education, we endeavour to cultivate concentration, discipline, independent thinking, sportsmanship, resilience and respect for others.
A child who learns to accept defeat gracefully, acknowledge mistakes honestly and persevere through difficult positions is learning lessons that will remain valuable long after the chessboard has been put away.
Our mission is not merely to teach children how to win games, but to help them develop the wisdom and character to succeed in life.
This Dussehra, Let Us Celebrate a Greater Victory!
As we celebrate the triumph of Lord Ram over Ravan, let us also reflect upon the battles we must win within ourselves.
Let us replace arrogance with humility, anger with patience, fear with courage, and ignorance with knowledge.
Let us teach our children that success is not measured solely by trophies, ratings or victories, but also by the values they uphold and the character they develop.
Because, ultimately, the greatest champion is not necessarily the one who defeats every opponent.
The greatest champion is the one who learns to conquer himself!
🌼 Indian Chess School wishes all students, parents, teachers, chess enthusiasts and their families a very Happy and Blessed Dussehra!
May the light of wisdom illuminate our minds, the strength of courage guide our actions, and the spirit of righteousness inspire our journey!!
Indian Chess School is delighted to announce that our CEO, Mr. Swayam Ubale, and COO, Ms. Prisha Kapadia, have been awarded the title of FIDE School Instructor by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), following their excellent performance in the seminar and the subsequent examination.
A proud moment for Indian Chess School: CEO Swayam Ubale and COO Prisha Kapadia, pictured with Founder Praful Zaveri, celebrate earning their FIDE School Instructor titles.
This achievement is a matter of great pride for the entire ICS family. Already FIDE-rated players and dedicated coaches, Swayam and Prisha have taken another meaningful step in their development as chess educators.
Swayam Ubale — CEO and FIDE School Instructor
Swayam combines his responsibilities as CEO of Indian Chess School with an active commitment to chess training and tournament organisation. His work brings together the practical demands of managing programmes and the personal responsibility of guiding young learners.
His FIDE profile lists ratings of 1608 in Standard chess, 1453 in Rapid and 1411 in Blitz.
By pursuing the FIDE School Instructor qualification, Swayam has demonstrated a desire to build on his playing experience and strengthen his skills as a teacher. His willingness to continue learning alongside his professional responsibilities sets a valuable example for our students.
We congratulate Swayam on this recognition and look forward to his continued contribution to chess education and the growth of ICS.
As COO of Indian Chess School, Prisha plays an important role in our training programmes, school partnerships and e-learning initiatives. Her work combines organisational leadership with a hands-on commitment to teaching children.
Her FIDE profile lists ratings of 1414 in Standard chess and 1580 in Rapid.
The FIDE School Instructor qualification marks a further step in her journey as a chess educator. Her enthusiasm for acquiring knowledge and improving the way she teaches reflects the approach we value at ICS: a teacher must remain willing to learn.
We congratulate Prisha on this achievement and look forward to seeing her apply her learning to support our students and strengthen our programmes.
Chess knowledge and the ability to teach it develop through continued effort. Explaining an idea clearly, understanding a child’s difficulties and helping a learner think independently all require patience, reflection and practice.
Swayam and Prisha’s decision to pursue further training demonstrates their commitment to these responsibilities. Their thirst for knowledge and determination to become better teachers are commendable.
For our students, their achievement offers a valuable lesson: learning continues at every stage, including for those who lead and teach.
A Message of Congratulations!
It gives me immense pleasure to congratulate Swayam and Prisha on earning their FIDE School Instructor titles.
As Founder of Indian Chess School, I take particular pride in seeing our team invest in its own development. Their progress as trainers will enrich our students’ learning experience and contribute to the continued growth of ICS.
On behalf of the entire ICS family, I wish them further success, continued curiosity and many rewarding years of teaching chess!!
Praful Zaveri Founder & Managing Director Indian Chess School
The Chess Course – Celebrating 25 Years and More Than 100,000 Copies Sold
Since its first publication in 1999, The Chess Course by FIDE Trainer Praful Zaveri has sold more than 100,000 copies across its editions—a milestone in a publishing journey dedicated to making chess learning accessible and systematic.
The 25th Anniversary Edition celebrates that journey, offering readers a structured companion to help them learn, practise and deepen their understanding of the game.
Written by the Founder of Indian Chess School, the book brings together clear explanations, illustrative examples and exercises that encourage readers to think actively about the positions before them.
From the First Moves to Club-Level Play
Learning how the pieces move is only the beginning. Progress comes from understanding their possibilities, recognising threats and learning to make purposeful decisions.
The Chess Course guides readers through six sections, beginning with an introduction to the game and gradually progressing towards the knowledge required for club-level play.
Examples from master games help readers explore how experienced players think. Exercises provide opportunities to apply those ideas, examine different moves and learn from mistakes.
Through the Glasses of Experience
Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay, India’s third Grandmaster and an Arjuna Award recipient, has reviewed The Chess Course under the title “Through the Glasses of Experience”.
In his review, he explains that chess improvement is possible through a scientific approach, knowledge, passion and hard work. He recognises the book’s contribution to chess literature, highlighting its simple language, hundreds of illustrative examples and gradual progression in difficulty.
He also draws attention to the value of studying examples from master play: they offer readers an opportunity to understand the thinking process of champions.
His closing recommendation is clear:
“Recommended to all players, trainers & parents.”
— Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay
A Companion Between Chess Lessons
A lesson introduces an idea. Thoughtful practice helps a learner understand how to use it.
At Indian Chess School, we encourage students to keep a chessboard beside their book, play through examples and attempt exercises before checking the answers.
To make practice more rewarding:
Take time to understand the position before choosing a move.
Look for your opponent’s threats as well as your own opportunities.
Try to explain why a move works.
Revisit exercises that you found difficult.
Bring questions to your next training session.
The aim is to understand the reasoning behind an answer and recognise when a similar idea might be useful in a game.
For Players, Trainers and Parents
For players, The Chess Course offers a structured path for study and revision.
For trainers, its explanations, examples and exercises provide material to support lessons and discussion.
For parents, it creates opportunities to take an interest in a child’s learning. You do not need to know every answer. Asking “What could your opponent do next?” or “What other move did you consider?” can encourage your child to explain their thinking.
A Thoughtful Gift for a Chess Enthusiast
A chess book is something a learner can return to—revisiting an idea, attempting an exercise again or discovering a detail they missed earlier.
Whether purchased for personal study or as a gift, The Chess Course – 25th Anniversary Edition invites readers to spend more time exploring the game.
Across the Board from Sir Nigel Short: A Memory to Cherish
Meeting Grandmaster Nigel Short again during my recent visit to Samarkand, after more than sixteen years, brought back some wonderful memories. Here was a legendary player, a former World No. 2, whom I had first met in 2006—and against whom I had the unforgettable opportunity to play four years later!
Our renewed meeting took me back to an airport arrival, a conversation about cricket, and a chess game whose result has always mattered far less to me than the words that followed it.
An airport welcome and a shared love of cricket
My first meeting with Sir Nigel was during the Commonwealth Chess Championship in 2006. I had been assigned to receive him at the airport and assist with his transportation arrangements throughout the tournament.
I still remember sitting beside him in the cab, scarcely able to believe that I was travelling with a former World No. 2!
Any initial nervousness soon disappeared. We struck a chord almost immediately and discussed many things, especially cricket.
I can vouch for the depth of his knowledge of the game. His understanding, recollection and observations would hold their own in a conversation with some of the best-known cricket pundits. I remember telling him that he would make an excellent cricket commentator!
In the years that followed, I also enjoyed reading his Facebook posts. What particularly appealed to me was the clarity with which he expressed his thoughts. Whatever the subject, his writing gave me something to think about.
An unexpected invitation in Kuala Lumpur
Our paths crossed again in April 2010, when my late friend, FT Peter Long, invited me to join the organising and arbiters’ team for the KL Open in Malaysia.
On the morning of 10 April, a rest day, Peter asked whether I would like to participate in Sir Nigel’s clock simultaneous display.
I could hardly believe my ears.
“Is it possible?” I asked.
Peter assured me that it was. Suddenly, an opportunity I had never imagined was becoming a reality.
Sir Nigel would take on ten players simultaneously, almost all of us FIDE-rated, with each player having one hour on the clock. Peter wondered whether an hour would be enough for us!
As I discovered, his concern was well-founded!
Facing a great player—with the Dragon!
I had the black pieces. Sir Nigel opened with 1.e4, and I chose the Sicilian Defence, steering the game into the Dragon Variation.
I knew how formidable he could be against the Dragon. I had seen games in which he had dismantled Black’s position with remarkable force. Yet that was part of the attraction: if I was going to face such a great player, I wanted to play an opening I knew and give it my best.
As I wrote in my original notes, surviving twenty-five moves with something still to play for would itself feel like a bonus!
After 13.Kb1, I spent considerable time considering 13…Ne5, but hesitated and chose 13…a6 instead. Later, my young friend and roommate, Niranjan Navalgund, showed me that …Ne5 was indeed playable, with an exchange sacrifice offering Black active counterplay.
In the game, I managed to exchange queens and reach a position which, according to my subsequent Fritz analysis, was only slightly better for White. I had survived the opening battle—but was now struggling with the clock.
After 28.Nc4, believing that I could not avoid losing a pawn, I resigned.
The words I remember most
To my pleasant surprise, Sir Nigel felt that I had stopped too soon.
As I recorded in my notes, he told me:
“Praful, I feel it’s a premature resignation. There is still a lot of fight left!!”
Those words have stayed with me ever since.
Coming from a player of his stature, that observation meant a great deal. I had lost the game, but to hear him say that there was still a fight to be had was a compliment I would cherish for a lifetime.
When I met him again in the lift afterwards, I thanked him and told him that he had given me a wonderful memory to treasure.
Meeting him again in Samarkand brought it all back with remarkable freshness: the excitement of Peter’s invitation, the tension at the board, the ticking clock, and Sir Nigel’s generous assessment afterwards.
The score records a defeat. My memory holds something much richer—the privilege of playing a legendary grandmaster, and the encouragement he offered when the game was over!
The game
White: GM Nigel Short (2686) Black: Praful Zaveri (2004) Event: KL Clock Simultaneous Display Venue: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Date: 10 April 2010 Opening: Sicilian Defence, Dragon Variation (B76) Time control: One hour per player Result: 1–0
e4 c5
Nf3 d6
d4 cxd4
Nxd4 Nf6
Nc3 g6
Be3 Bg7
f3 O-O
Qd2 Nc6
g4 Bd7
O-O-O Rc8
h4 h5
g5 Ne8
Kb1 a6
Nd5 e6
Nxc6 Rxc6
Nb4 Rc8
Bd4 Bxd4
Qxd4 Qc7
c3 Qc5
Be2 Qxd4
Rxd4 a5
Nc2 Bc6
Ne3 Kg7
a3 f6
Rg1 f5
exf5 gxf5
Rd2 f4
Nc4 1–0
Black resigned here. The following continuation appears in my annotated file as subsequent Fritz analysis; it was not played:
Even the analysis leaves pieces on the board and a contest to be fought—a fitting reminder of Sir Nigel’s words!
—Praful Zaveri
Photograph captions
Kuala Lumpur, 2010: Sir Nigel Short during the clock simultaneous display on 10 April 2010—an unforgettable opportunity to face a legendary grandmaster.
Even the greatest minds can overlook a beautiful idea! What reveals their greatness is how they respond when they discover it!!
Wilhelm Steinitz, the first World Chess Champion, enjoyed solving chess problems as his “evening dessert”. But a two-move composition by Walter Pulitzer proved unexpectedly difficult.
WHITE TO PLAY & MATE IN 2 (WALTER PULITZER, 1895)
After struggling for more than fifteen minutes, Steinitz began to suspect that the problem contained an error. He looked up the solution—and discovered that the error lay in his own judgment!
His response is a wonderful lesson in humility:
“I thought that no two-move nut could be too hard for my evening dessert. However, after puzzling in vain for over a quarter of an hour, I came to the conclusion that there must be a mistake about it, and therefore looked for the key; and sure enough, there was a mistake—namely, my own! The problem is sound, original, difficult and beautifully constructed. Altogether a gem! So far as I can remember, this is the first time (probably in thirty-five years) that I have failed to solve a two-mover problem within fifteen minutes.”
Here was a World Champion openly acknowledging his mistake and generously applauding the composer whose creation had defeated his efforts!
For our young students—and for all of us—there is something precious in that response. Expertise does not make us infallible. We continue to grow when we can admit an error, appreciate another person’s brilliance and remain willing to learn!!
Now it is your turn!
White to play and mate in two moves. Composer: Walter Pulitzer Published by 13 July 1895.
Give yourself fifteen minutes. Find White’s first move and check that, whatever Black replies, White can deliver checkmate on the next move.
We are keeping the key move hidden so that you can enjoy discovering this gem for yourself!
And if it leaves you puzzled, remember: you are in distinguished company!!😊♟️
Historical note: The problem and Steinitz’s commentary appeared in the Evening Star on 13 July 1895. They were later reproduced on page 60 of the April 1907 issue of ‘The Chess Player’s Scrap Book’, the short-lived journal edited by Emanuel Lasker.
Remembering Ramesh Kaka: An Indian Olympian, a Shared Heritage and a Memory Worth Preserving
Ramesh Dhirajlal Sheth | 17 April 1938 – 27 July 1999 By Praful Zaveri
Having recently had the honour of serving as Coach and Captain of the St. Kitts and Nevis Open team at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, my thoughts turned to another Olympian—a stalwart from our own community who represented India at the 14th Chess Olympiad in Leipzig, East Germany, in 1960: Shri Ramesh Dhirajlal Sheth.
Sixty-six years separated our Olympiad journeys. I never had the opportunity to meet him, yet the connections between us make his story deeply personal to me.
We are both Gujaratis and belong to the Dasha Sorthiya Vanik (DSV) community. We were both born in Mumbai and share roots in Bhavnagar. My mother came from Bhavnagar, and the families of my maternal uncles continue to live there. It was through these connections that I eventually came to know something of Rameshbhai’s life beyond the chessboard.
Through his nephew, the late Shri Madhukarbhai Sheth, he became, affectionately, “Ramesh Kaka” to me.
Madhukarbhai’s father and Rameshbhai were brothers. Naturally, Madhukarbhai referred to him as his Kaka—his paternal uncle. As we spoke about him, I too began to call him Ramesh Kaka. An enquiry about a former Indian Olympian gradually became a personal wish to preserve the memory of someone connected to my own heritage.
A friendship that led me to his story
My search began in 2012, when International Master IM Manuel Aaron Sir asked whether I could help trace his old teammate.
Aaron Sir and Ramesh Kaka had represented India together at Leipzig and shared a warm friendship. Aaron Sir knew of his connection with Bhavnagar and Bombay, but contact had been lost after Ramesh Kaka moved overseas. While working on Indian Chess History with Vijay D. Pandit, IM Aaron hoped to learn more about the later life of his friend.
With four maternal uncles from Bhavnagar, I felt there might be someone within our family circle who could help. Those connections eventually led me to Madhukarbhai.
Finding him brought a name from India’s chess history closer to home. It also provided a family connection through which Manuel Aaron Sir could learn something more about his friend.
Madhukarbhai did what he could to keep his Kaka’s memory alive. He shared the information and recollections available to him, helping us piece together parts of a life that had taken Ramesh Kaka far from India. Although the family’s contact with him had been limited, his efforts gave us a precious link to those distant years.
A brief career with lasting achievements
According to Indian Chess History, Ramesh Sheth was born on 17 April 1938 in Kandivli, Mumbai. His family roots were in Bhavnagar in Gujarat, while his competitive chess flourished in Bombay.
His years at the forefront of Indian chess spanned 1957 to 1961. It was a relatively brief period, but one marked by strong performances.
In 1957, he finished second in the Bombay State Championship, behind Nawab Ali and ahead of Rusi Madon. He also secured sixth place in that year’s National Championship at Poona. His best national result came in Delhi in 1959, where he finished fifth.
The following year, he earned the honour of representing India at the Leipzig Chess Olympiad.
He also contributed to Bombay’s victory in the 1960 Inter-Association Championship in Madras. Playing on the second board, he remained undefeated and scored 6½ points from eight games.
Leipzig: facing the world’s leading players
India had first participated in a Chess Olympiad at Moscow in 1956. Leipzig belonged to those early years of our country’s international team chess journey, when opportunities to compete abroad were limited and the gulf between Indian players and the leading chess nations was considerable.
India’s four-player team comprised IM Manuel Aaron, Ramchandra Bhargava Sapre, Mulk Raj Wahi and Ramesh Dhirajlal Sheth. Ramesh Kaka played on Board Four throughout the tournament, completing all 20 games.
The Indian team advanced to Final B and finished 24th overall. One of its most memorable individual achievements was Aaron Sir’s victory over former World Champion Max Euwe in the opening preliminary round.
In the next round, India encountered the formidable Soviet Union. Aaron faced former World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik, Sapre played Paul Keres, Wahi met Viktor Korchnoi, and Ramesh Kaka sat across the board from Tigran Petrosian.
The Soviets won the match 4–0 and subsequently won the Olympiad, ahead of the United States and Yugoslavia. Mikhail Tal was the reigning World Champion at the time.
For Ramesh Kaka, the encounter with Petrosian deserves particular remembrance.
Petrosian was already an outstanding grandmaster and the reigning Soviet champion. Three years later, he would defeat Botvinnik to become the ninth World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1963 to 1969.
Ramesh Sheth played Black against him in the second preliminary round. The game began as a Queen’s Indian Defence and continued for 41 moves before Petrosian won.
The surviving score shows Petrosian building a broad pawn centre, expanding on the kingside and bringing his rooks into the attack. Ramesh Sheth sought counterplay on the queenside, including the advance of his b-pawn and activity along the open files. Eventually, Petrosian’s pressure prevailed; the recorded game ends with 41.Qf3.
For us today, the game preserves a remarkable connection: an Indian player whose later life became difficult to trace once tested himself against a man destined to become World Champion!
His opponent list also included the experienced Dutch master Lodewijk Prins, Argentina’s Osvaldo Bazán and Poland’s Jerzy Kostro and Andrzej Filipowicz. These encounters place his Olympiad contribution within the wider international chess world of his time.
Ramesh Sheth’s complete Leipzig record
Results below are shown from Ramesh Sheth’s perspective. “P” denotes the preliminary group and “B” denotes Final B.
Game
Stage / round
Opponent
Country
Ramesh’s colour
Result
1
P–1
Lodewijk Prins
Netherlands
Black
Loss — 0
2
P–2
Tigran Petrosian
Soviet Union
Black
Loss — 0
3
P–3
Edgar de Castro
Philippines
White
Win — 1
4
P–4
Karl Janetschek
Austria
Black
Loss — 0
5
P–5
Gian Piero Mercuri
Italy
White
Draw — ½
6
P–6
Osvaldo Bazán
Argentina
Black
Draw — ½
7
P–7
Jerzy Kostro
Poland
White
Draw — ½
8
P–8
Daniel de Oliveira
Portugal
Black
Loss — 0
9
P–9
Bernard Angles d’Auriac
Monaco
White
Win — 1
10
B–1
Guðmundur Lárusson
Iceland
Black
Win — 1
11
B–2
Emanuel Guthi
Israel
White
Loss — 0
12
B–3
Héctor Jiménez Rojas
Chile
Black
Loss — 0
13
B–4
Raúl de Cárdenas
Cuba
White
Draw — ½
14
B–5
Ilmari Niemelä
Finland
Black
Loss — 0
15
B–6
Andrzej Filipowicz
Poland
White
Draw — ½
16
B–7
Sigfred From
Denmark
Black
Draw — ½
17
B–8
Pedro Puig Pulido
Spain
White
Loss — 0
18
B–9
Kristian Sköld
Sweden
Black
Draw — ½
19
B–10
Ragnar Hoen
Norway
White
Loss — 0
20
B–11
Werner Groiss
Austria
Black
Win — 1
Stage
Games
Wins
Draws
Losses
Points
Preliminary group
9
2
4
3
4/9
Final B
11
2
3
6
3½/11
Total
20
4
7
9
7½/20 — 37.5%
His 7½ points equalled Sapre’s total, making them the joint highest scorers in the Indian team.
Remembering him through a victory
Among his four wins, the game against Iceland’s Guðmundur Lárusson offers a particularly striking way to remember his chess.
Playing Black in the first round of Final B, Ramesh Sheth used the French Defence. White’s queen captured pawns on the kingside, while Black developed active counterplay against the white king. The finish brought together his queen, bishop and knights, ending in checkmate on move 23.
Guðmundur Lárusson–Ramesh Dhirajlal Sheth Leipzig Chess Olympiad, 1960 — Final B, Round 1 French Defence — 0–1
There is something moving about recovering such a game decades later. We may know little about his final years, but we can still follow his moves and see the combination he brought to the board!
A life that travelled beyond chess
Leipzig changed the course of Ramesh Kaka’s life in another way.
Indian Chess History records that a German family whom he befriended during the Olympiad helped arrange a scholarship for his higher studies two years later. He subsequently obtained a doctorate in steel structures in Leipzig and migrated to Canada.
During his German stay, he continued to send Aaron chess books by Luděk Pachman. I find this detail particularly touching. Amid his studies and a new life abroad, he remembered his friend and the game that had brought them together.
Madhukarbhai told me that Ramesh Kaka married after moving to Canada and had no children. Beyond these fragments, much of his later life remains unknown. The book records that he passed away in Florida, USA, on 27 July 1999.
I wish we had been able to learn more about his work, his home, his friendships and whether he continued to play chess in those later years. Those questions remain with me.
With Madhukarbhai’s passing, we have also lost the family member through whom I came to know Ramesh Kaka. His efforts to preserve his uncle’s memory now place a responsibility on those of us who received that story.
A photograph, twenty games and a place in our memory
The team photograph accompanying this tribute adds another precious fragment to the story. Shared in the Madras Local History group on Facebook, it shows the Indian chess delegation before its journey to the 1960 Leipzig Olympiad and brings us closer to the people behind the tournament records.
I am grateful to the group for making this photograph available. I have also posted an enquiry there, inviting members to share further information about the Indian team beyond what has been chronicled by Manuel Aaron. A photograph, a letter or a personal recollection could help us recover another part of this shared chess history.
The photograph deserves to be preserved alongside the games and the recollections of those who knew these players. Together, these fragments help us remember a generation whose contribution can otherwise slip quietly out of view.
Perhaps that is why, after my own Olympiad experience in Samarkand, I feel an even stronger need to write this tribute. I know what it means to be part of an Olympiad—the anticipation, the responsibility, the companionship and the memories one carries home.
Ramesh Kaka experienced his own journey decades before mine. He represented India, faced a future World Champion and contributed to our country’s early international chess history.
Our shared Gujarati heritage, our DSV community and our Bhavnagar roots first drew me towards him. His achievements, Aaron Sir’ affectionate recollections and Madhukarbhai’s efforts gave me further reasons to remember him.
To the Indian chess fraternity, I offer this tribute with a request: if anyone possesses photographs, letters, tournament records or memories of Ramesh Dhirajlal Sheth, please help us preserve them. Information about his years in Germany, Canada and the United States would be especially valuable.
Ramesh Kaka, I never met you. Yet, through Aaron’s memories and Madhukarbhai’s efforts, I came to feel a connection with you. I wish there had been an opportunity to sit across a chessboard, listen to your stories and hear about Leipzig in your own words!
That opportunity is now beyond us. Remembering you is still within our hands.
With affection and respect, I offer this tribute to your memory—and remember Madhukarbhai with gratitude for helping keep it alive.
Photo credit: Madras Local History group on Facebook. Indian chess delegation before its journey to the FIDE 14th Chess Olympiad, Leipzig, 1960. Original photographer unidentified.
Sources: Indian Chess History by IM Manuel Aaron and Vijay D. Pandit, pages 303–304; OlimpBase’s Leipzig 1960 results and game archive; FIDE’s biography of Tigran Petrosian; my conversations with Manuel Aaron and the late Shri Madhukarbhai Sheth.
Most readers know me through my books on chess training. However, I have also tried my hand at short stories—with chess, naturally, at their heart!
“The Story of GM”, which I penned in 2008, is one such attempt. It follows Govind Mohan Lal, affectionately known as “GM” in the chess circuit, whose fascination with a missed winning move follows him well beyond the tournament hall.
I am pleased to share this light-hearted story with you. If you have ever continued analysing a game long after leaving the chessboard, you may find something familiar in GM’s predicament!
The Story of GM
This is the story of Govind Mohan Lal, affectionately known as ‘GM‘ in the Chess Circuit!
He had had a bad day in the office, and he was livid with himself. He had drawn his crucial 6th-round game against his old foe, which had pushed him into joint 2nd spot with a score of 5 points. Had he won that game, he would have propelled himself to the top of the table. And, with 3 rounds remaining, he would have been the favourite to win this championship.
How could he draw such a game, which was nothing but home preparation from the white side of the Scotch Opening? After 15 moves, he had his opponent on his toes, and the writing was on the wall. With the country in the grip of IPL fever and the newspapers forgetting about the existence of other sports, he could still imagine himself making the headlines the next day, probably on the same page as the RR team!
Alas! One moment of indiscretion, and his dreams were falling apart. Moreover, he was furious that he was forced to share 2nd spot with his opponent from the last round, his longtime Chess friend but enemy within!
He could not fathom the thought of his opponent playing Chess!! A mere mortal who was created by God just to punish him for some of his misdeeds in his last birth!! So, whenever the opportunity presented him with a chance to play against his opponent, either in tournaments or off-hand games, he played with the full vigour of a gladiator!!
To a certain extent, he had been successful with a score of +2, but the last 3 games prior to the current clash had been a near disaster. He had no answer to his strong Berlin Defense, and he sometimes felt that he was playing against Kramnik! With Black, he had tried KID and had been almost successful, but somehow, he felt that his opponent had learned enough Black magic to prevent him from winning! He was not superstitious, but playing against this opponent made him search for some Black magic ‘Limbu’, which he (his opponent) might have stashed in some remote corner of the tournament hall!!
As such, when he learnt of the critical 6th-round pairing, he decided to change his repertoire from the Ruy Lopez to a surprise Scotch, which he had never played before and which his opponent would never have expected him to play!
With the help of his monsters, Fritz and Chessbase, he went through the recent advances in this variation, but some inner intuition signalled to him that he should adopt some obscure line – a line which was beyond the chess understanding of his opponent. As such, he decided on the Scotch Four Knights variation.
He reached the tournament hall quite early and found that the peaceful serenity of the place calmed his jumping nerves. He decided to set his own clock, as he wanted to prevent his opponent from performing any tricks on him!
His opponent, with an aura of confidence, arrived just before the scheduled time, and they both shook hands. The games started, and to show positive body language, he nearly fixed the pawn on the e4 square and pressed his clock with slightly more pressure! He was now praying that his opponent would play e5, and after a few seconds’ pause, which seemed like an eternity, his opponent obliged! And, after the usual 2.Nf3 Nc6, he played 3.d4! and watched with satisfaction the surprise on his opponent’s face; his opponent had been expecting 3.Bb5.
The game continued as per his exact home preparation: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d5 8.e5?! Ng4 9.Bf4 d410.Qf3!
He changed gear and was now playing the game in lightning mode – rapidly replying to his opponent’s moves, pressing the clock with a sure but acceptable punch. His opponent was perspiring now and could feel the heat of the position on the board! Now confident of his victory, he also felt the urge, like Gary Kasparov, to get up from his chair after every move, rush towards the exit door and close it with a bang so that the spectators and other players would be attracted to his game, which surely deserved to be watched. But the tournament hall had only one door, and he realized that if he were to do this, he would be expelled by the no-nonsense Chief Arbiter!
10…dxc3 11.0–0–0 Qd5
12.Be4 Qxa2 and the opponent had ‘Mate in One’!
But then came 13.Bxc6+ Kf8 14.Rd8+ Ke7 15.Bg5+ f6 16.exf6+ gxf6 17.Re1+ Be6
And here his home preparation ended, but this was a position he could not lose. At this point, he spent nearly 50 minutes on his clock before finding the winning move – 18.Rd7+!!
And this was the first time he saw a wry smile on his opponent’s face?! The game continued: 18…Kf8 19.Bh6+ Nxh6 20.Qxf6+ Nf7
Now he realized why his opponent was smiling – he had escaped with a draw!! 21.Rxf7+ Bxf7 22.Qxh8+ Bg8 23.Qf6+ Bf7 24.Qh8+ Bg8 25.Qf6+ Bf7 ½–½
His opponent offered a post-mortem analysis, but he was frustrated and left the tournament hall in a jiffy.
Back home, he was pondering over the game to find out where he had gone wrong and was contemplating spending the entire evening analysing the game thoroughly, but his wife had other ideas!
She was an expert at reading his face and knew instantly that the result of today’s game was not positive! Not that she was bothered by the result, as she was of the opinion that her buddy was engaged in an activity which was a sheer waste of time.
Their eight years of marriage had been a near disaster, and had it not been for the 6-year-old Chintu, she would have taken the first available train to her parents’ place in Kolkata!
A simpleton but an educated girl, she was over the moon when she learnt that she was to marry this great Chess player. She imagined that her husband, like Dada, must be all over the sports pages of various newspapers and chased by autograph hunters!! But her dream was short-lived and died a premature death once she learnt that Chess had no takers. Of course, he earned a reasonable salary from his job as a sports quota recruit in a Public Sector undertaking and had a nice flat, a car and other luxuries; however, the glamour was certainly missing!
“It’s been ages since we’ve seen a movie and had a dinner outing. Chintu wants to see his favourite movie, ‘OSO’, and I have already booked the tickets for the 10 PM show at Fame Adlabs. We will start at 8, have our dinner at Rajdhani at 9 and then let Chintu play some games at the Mall.”
This was more of an order, but he was drained of all his energy and decided not to enter into an argument. It also presented him with the opportunity to ponder over the game during the 15 km drive from his residence to the Shopping Mall/Multiplex and, of course, the three-hour movie!
He went through the motions of having a nice dinner and spending quality time with his family; however, as soon as the movie started, he switched himself to ‘Chess Engine’ mode.
While the entire cinema hall was engrossed in the hit song and dance number belted out by King Khan, he went into overdrive to find the winning move he had missed. However, he couldn’t find it, and the movie ended.
On their way back, the car needed refilling, and he drove it to the nearest petrol pump. At this juncture, Chintu demanded wafers, and his wife took Chintu to the gas station’s Cafeteria while he continued with his exploration.
Eureka! Just as he finished paying the attendant, the winning move flashed across his mind, and in the growing excitement, he started his car!!
18.Rxe6+ !! And he started rechecking his analysis.
While he was satisfied that he had reached a logical conclusion, at the same time he was kicking himself for having missed the brilliant 18.Rxe6+!!
The frenzy made him drive nearly 5 km, and all of a sudden, a question flashed in his mind: “Am I travelling with someone, or am I alone?”
And, to his horror, he recollected the entire sequence of going to the cinema with his wife and son, his journey back home after the movie, the need to refill the car, Chintu’s demand for wafers and his wife getting out of the car to buy wafers from the gas station’s cafeteria!!
(GM reversed his journey towards the petrol pump, and we do not know what fate awaited him, but as in most Bollywood movies, we hope it was a ‘Happy Ending’!!)
Author’s Note
I wrote “The Story of GM” in 2008, taking a brief detour from chess instruction into fiction. The chess positions are drawn from two actual encounters: Van Scheltinga–Cortolever (Amsterdam, 1954) and Furmston–Poletayev (correspondence chess). Govind Mohan Lal and his adventures, however, belong entirely to my imagination!
Those who love chess will know how a missed move can linger in the mind long after a game has ended. I hope GM’s little adventure has brought a smile to your face—and perhaps reminded you of a moment when you, too, left the chessboard but took the game along!!
Checkmate @ Crimson: Indian Chess School Makes Its First Move into Corporate Chess
Indian Chess School (ICS) marked a new milestone on 1 October 2026 by conducting its first corporate chess tournament, “Checkmate @ Crimson,” at Crimson Interactive.
The event welcomed 22 employees and six children, bringing together colleagues and their families through a shared enjoyment of chess. It also marked the beginning of ICS’s foray into organising chess tournaments for the corporate workforce, drawing on its extensive experience in chess training and tournament management.
From Intern to Chief Arbiter: A Special Homecoming
Leading the event was Prisha Kapadia, Chief Operating Officer of Indian Chess School, who represented ICS as the Chief Arbiter and took responsibility for organising and conducting the tournament.
For Prisha, the occasion had a special personal connection. Just a year earlier, she had spent two months at Crimson Interactive as an intern. Returning to the same organisation to lead its corporate chess event made this milestone particularly memorable.
Her responsibilities included explaining the rules, monitoring multiple boards, ensuring fair play, coordinating arrangements and keeping the tournament moving smoothly. She also captured moments from the event, documenting this new chapter in the ICS journey.
We warmly appreciate Prisha’s initiative, commitment and leadership in bringing this event to life.
Chess for Colleagues and Their Children
One of the most rewarding aspects of “Checkmate @ Crimson” was seeing chess become a meeting point for colleagues and their families.
Employees took a break from their usual work to challenge one another over the board, while the children’s participation added a family dimension to the occasion. Together, the 28 participants made this first corporate event especially memorable.
The evening concluded with felicitations, and Participation Certificates were awarded to all employees and children who took part.
Employees’ Section: Final Standings
The employees’ tournament concluded after five rounds, with Allan Fernandes securing first place with a perfect score of five points.
Ronak Agrawal took first place in the children’s section, followed by Ram Mittal and Zayden Bharucha.
Rank
Player
1st
Ronak Agrawal
2nd
Ram Mittal
3rd
Zayden Bharucha
4th
Veerr Mittal
5th
Arna Mittal
6th
Annika Kapadia
Congratulations to the leading players in both sections and to every participant for their enthusiasm for chess.
Taking Chess into the Corporate World
With this first event, Indian Chess School is opening a new avenue for companies seeking engaging activities for their employees and families.
Chess offers a natural setting to practise planning, concentration and decision-making while enjoying a competitive game. A workplace tournament also gives colleagues an opportunity to connect through a shared interest.
ICS aims to bring its expertise to corporate chess events—from planning suitable formats and coordinating arrangements to conducting pairings, explaining rules and providing professional officiating. Events can be planned around an organisation’s schedule and the playing experience of its participants, with opportunities to include employees’ children.
Our goal is to help companies create enjoyable, professionally conducted chess tournaments that employees and their families look forward to participating in.
Our Thanks to Crimson Interactive
We sincerely thank Crimson Interactive and the People of Crimson team, with special appreciation to Moushmi Maradia, for inviting Indian Chess School, welcoming chess into the workplace and trusting us to conduct the event.
We thank all the employees and children who participated in this memorable first corporate tournament.
Our appreciation also extends to the ICS team—Swayam Ubale, Babli Gupta and Kailash Patil—for their support, and to Prisha Kapadia for leading this milestone event.
“Checkmate @ Crimson” is our first move in a promising new journey. We look forward to bringing chess to more workplaces and creating many more such experiences.
Bring Chess to Your Workplace
Connect with Indian Chess School to explore a chess tournament for your employees and their families.
