Father lost at 3, mother’s faith remains: Aravindh Chithambaram’s rise to become first Indian to win Esports Chess World Cup 2026
Aravindh Chithambaram with his mother Deivanai (special arrangement) NEW DELHI: A saying becomes a proverb because it has stood the test of time. One such saying is “patience is the key”. In today’s world, where many try to solve things without losing hope, never giving up, persevering in their pursuit and staying true to their motives, people like 26-year-old Aravindh Chithambaram are a reminder of why such sayings still hold true.After months of unsuccessful qualifying attempts through Titled Tuesdays, Chess.com play-ins and elite online events, the Grandmaster (GM) from Madurai, Tamil Nadu finally broke through earlier this week at DreamHack Atlanta, becoming the first Indian to qualify for the 2026 Esports Chess World Cup, which will be held in Paris from August 11 to August 15. “I tried for many months to qualify through other tournaments,” smiled Aravindh Chithambaram while speaking exclusively to TimesofIndia.com.
Ticket to the 2026 World Esports Championship
Representing one of India’s premier Esports organizations, S8UL, for the second consecutive year, Aravindh will now take on one of the other four players to top the Last Chance qualifier for two spots in the group stage of the main event.“I’m really happy to have qualified for the Esports World Cup,” Aravindh added. “It’s an ethereal feeling to win a tournament. There were a lot of strong players in that event.”
Aravindh Chithambaram (second from left)
Now with a spot in the main event of the Esports World Cup secured, the humble 1999-born is quick to point out that his eyes are on securing a place in the group stage.“I didn’t quite qualify for the group stage. I need to play as another play-in to be in the group stage, so I’m looking forward to that as well. I see it as now I’ve taken one step. Of course it’s still a long way, I understand, but I’m happy to have taken my first step,” he explained.
Grandpa’s lesson
Aravind’s journey to 64 Square began in the most ordinary yet life-changing circumstances. When he was just three years old, tragedy struck the household in Thirunagar, Madurai. His father died, leaving behind a young mother and toddler, along with a future shrouded in immense uncertainty.Growing up, Aravindh was like any other energetic Indian boy, obsessed with running outside and playing cricket with the neighbors.
Road to Esports Chess World Cup (Photo from Chess.com)
“I started playing chess at the age of eight,” Aravindh recalled. “I asked my grandfather to join me and play cricket and he said, ‘No, at this age, I don’t think I can even walk. Maybe I’ll teach you to play chess.’ And that’s how I got into chess.’What began as a clever trick by an elderly grandfather to keep a hyperactive child indoors soon grew into something remarkable.
“My family was a big support for me”
Aravindh spent hours absorbing the board, the tactics and every little nuance behind every maneuver.This was something new for his family, especially for his mother Deivanai, who worked tirelessly as an LIC agent and served as the sole breadwinner of the family. However, as Aravindh began to master the craft of chess, his mother’s confidence grew, eventually allowing her son to pursue chess professionally.“I still… can’t believe my mom made such a bold decision to let me be chased,” Aravindh acknowledged. “It wasn’t easy at all. Most parents wanted their kids to get into academics and stuff. But I don’t know what made her do that. She thought I might have that talent, so she trusted me.”
After I lost my father, I lived with my grandparents and mother. So I didn’t feel like I missed my father; they were with me.
GM Aravindh Chithambaram
The financial burden of raising a child alone and funding an expensive competitive sport like chess is a mountain many families cannot overcome.Yet the environment around Aravind was deliberately muted by the fierce, protective family unit, so the young boy never felt the sting of what he was missing.“My family was a big support for me. After I lost my father, I lived with my grandparents and my mom. So I didn’t feel like I missed my dad; they were with me. I would also like to add that my cousins were a huge support, I would say. Because most of them were raised by my mom, we are all very close. They all supported me a lot in the interview. Mom especially,” the Grandmaster smiled again.
The mentors and sacrifices behind Aravindha’s rise
With his mother anchoring his life and his extended family protecting his peace, Aravindh began to quickly rise through the ranks. He dominated the local circuits and soon found his footing through early mentors in Madurai.“Gradually I started playing in district tournaments and found a coach there, learned the basics well and gradually started winning national competitions, went to national events. My first coach was Prasad, he is from Madurai. Also Gaus Kamadin, he is also from Madurai. He shaped me well, I learned a lot from him and started winning national competitions.”In 2011, 12-year-old Aravindh caught the attention of Grandmaster RB Ramesh. Joining the Ramesh Chess Academy in Chennai was the turning point that transformed the raw prodigy into a polished competitor ready for the international stage.
Aravindh Chithambaram with RB Ramesh (special arrangement)
Ramesh became much more than just a coach. “Ramesh sir has been supporting me since then,” explained Aravindh. “I think he was the one who got me a lot of sponsors for overseas events, people from all over the world, they all contributed to me playing overseas events. Then I got a scholarship with ONGC. So he helped me all along my journey.”Under Ramesh’s watchful guidance, Aravindh, who earned his first GM norm before his first IM norm, secured the Grandmaster title in 2015 at the age of 15, became a two-time Indian National Champion in 2018 and 2019, and crossed the elite 2700 ELO rating threshold.“Initially we worked on many chess positions,” said Aravindh. “Now he makes sure I’m in shape for every tournament. We don’t mainly work on the chess part; he makes sure my thinking is good and I’m doing the right things too. He’s more of a guide now.”READ ALSO: At the age of 12, a history maker, how Argentine Faustino Oro became the “Messi of Chess”This drive towards a balanced life is evident in Aravindha’s lifestyle today. At a time when modern athletes are under constant pressure to build “personal brands” and court sponsors through algorithms, Aravindh brilliantly maintains a digital presence like a ghost.“I was on social media, but now I realize it’s all a waste of time,” he laughed. “I feel much better without social media. Of course I’m on WhatsApp and sometimes I watch YouTube, but life is… I feel calmer.”Looking back at the tortuous journey from a fatherless childhood to a rising name in the Indian chess ecosystem, Aravindh today unwittingly becomes the epitome of ‘patience is the key’. And no one is surprised.