Chess as a Career – A Memorable Internship Experience with Ryan Group of Schools

In my chess journey of over 35 years, I have had the privilege of delivering many types of lectures – from training sessions for students, workshops for trainers, to talks for corporates. Yet, I had never spoken on one unique subject: “Chess as a Career Option.”

That changed on 14 September 2025, when 62 enthusiastic students from Ryan Group of Schools visited the Indian Chess School at our Bima Nagar Centre. It was truly a first-of-its-kind experience for them – to discover how chess is not just a game, but also a viable career path.

I shared with them how one can build a future in chess through diverse avenues:

• Working as a trainer or coach
• Organising tournaments at various levels
• Exploring ventures connected with the chess ecosystem

To make it more real, I gave examples of global success stories such as Chess.com and Digital Game Technology BV (makers of the world’s leading chess clocks and equipment).

The students also got a glimpse into the story of Indian Chess School – how it grew from humble beginnings into a reputed academy. I explained our business model, which includes:

• Chess training – offline & online
• Conducting tournaments across levels
• Our Chess-in-Schools programme
• A wide range of chess merchandise

What was meant to be a one-hour session stretched into two lively hours, thanks to the students’ curious questions and active participation. Their teachers, who accompanied them, expressed immense happiness at the first-hand exposure the children received.

For me and the entire Indian Chess School team, this will remain an occasion to cherish for a long time. Moments like these reaffirm that chess is more than a game – it’s a lifelong journey and, indeed, a career.

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