Aravind Chitambaram with his mother Devanay (special arrangements)
New Delhi: An old saying becomes a proverb because it has stood the test of time. “Patience is the key” is one such saying. In today’s world, where many are busy trying to make sense of things without losing hope, not giving up, remaining persistent in their pursuit, and staying true to their motives, people like 26-year-old Aravind Chitambaram serve as a reminder of why these sayings still hold true.After months of failed qualification attempts across Tuesdays, Chess.com play-in events and elite online events, the Grandmaster (GM) from Madurai, Tamil Nadu finally cracked DreamHack Atlanta earlier this week, becoming the first Indian to qualify for the 2026 eSports Chess World Cup, scheduled to be hosted in Paris from August 11 to August 15.
“I have been trying for several months to qualify through other tournaments,” smiled Aravind Chitambaram while speaking exclusively to TimesofIndia.com.
ticket for E-Sports World Cup 2026
Representing one of India’s leading esports organisations, S8UL, for the second year in a row, Aravindh will now face off against one of the other four players who finished at the top of the Last Chance qualifiers for two spots in the main event’s group stage.“I am really happy that I have qualified for the E-Sports World Cup,” Aravind added. “Winning the tournament is an ethereal feeling. A lot of strong players participated in this event.”
Aravind Chithambaram (second from left)
Now that a spot in the Esports World Cup main event has been secured, the humble 1999-born player is quick to point out that his eyes are set on securing a place in the group stage.He explained: “I did not fully qualify for the group stage. I need to play one more match to be in the group stage, so I am looking forward to that as well. I see it as if I have taken one step now. Of course, there is still a long way to go, I understand that, but I am happy that I have taken my first step.”
Grandfather studied
Aravind’s journey to the 64 squares began under ordinary circumstances that changed his life. When he was just three years old, tragedy struck the family in Thirunagar, Madurai. His father died, leaving behind a young mother and a young child, along with a future of great uncertainty.Growing up, Aravind was like any other active Indian boy, obsessed with running outdoors to play cricket with the neighbours.
The Road to the Chess World Cup in Esports (Image from Chess.com)
“I started playing chess at the age of eight,” Aravind recalls. “I asked my grandfather to come and join me in a cricket match, and he said, ‘No, at this age, I mean I can’t even walk. Maybe I’ll teach you chess.’ And that’s how I got into chess.”What started as an elderly grandfather’s clever trick to keep a hyperactive child inside quickly turned into something noteworthy.
“My family has been a great support.”
Aravind would spend hours absorbing the board, the tactics and every nuance behind each manoeuvre.This was something new for his family, especially for his mother, Devanay, who worked tirelessly as an LIC agent and served as the family’s sole breadwinner. However, as Aravind began to master the craft of chess, his mother’s confidence increased, eventually allowing her son to pursue chess professionally.“I still…can’t believe my mother made such a bold decision to let me do the chasing,” Aravind admitted.
“It was not easy at all. Most parents would ask their children to join academic schools and such. But I don’t know what made her do it. She thought I had this talent maybe, so she believed in me.”
After I lost my father, I lived with my grandparents and my mother. So I didn’t feel the loss of my father; They were with me together.
GM Aravind Chithambaram
The financial burden of raising a child alone while also financing an expensive competitive sport like chess is a mountain that many families fail to climb.However, Aravindh’s surroundings were deliberately protected by a fierce and protective family unit, so that the young boy never felt the sting of what was missing.“My family has been very supportive. After I lost my father, I lived with my grandparents and my mother. So I didn’t feel like missing my parents; they were with me together. I would also like to add that my brothers are my cousins, they have been very supportive, I say. And because my mother raised most of them, we are all very close to each other. They are all very supportive of me, which I haven’t said in any interviews. The family has been very supportive of my mother in particular,” the Grand Master smiled. once again.
The mentors and sacrifices behind Aravind’s rise
With his mother supporting his life and extended family protecting his peace, Aravind began to quickly rise through the ranks. He dominated local circles and soon found a foothold through early mentors in Madurai.“Gradually I started playing in local tournaments and found a coach there, learned the basics well, and gradually started winning state level events and went to national events. My first coach was Prasad, who is from Madurai.
Also, Gaus Kamadin, who is also from Madurai. He polished me well, I learned a lot of things from him and I started winning national championships.”By 2011, twelve-year-old Aravind caught the attention of Grandmaster RB Ramesh. Joining the Ramesh Chess Academy in Chennai became the turning point that transformed the raw prodigy into a polished competitor ready for the international stage.
Aravind Chitambaram with RB Ramesh (special arrangements)
Ramesh has become much more than just a coach. “Ramesh has supported me ever since,” Aravind explained.
“I think he was the one who got me a lot of sponsors to participate in the outdoor events, people from all over the world, everyone contributed to my playing in the outdoor events. Then I got a scholarship with ONGC. So he helped me throughout my journey.”Under Ramesh’s watchful guidance, Aravind, who took his first GM Standard before his first IM Standard, claimed the Grandmaster title in 2015 at the age of 15, became a two-time consecutive Indian National Champion in 2018 and 2019, and crossed the 2700 ELO elite rating threshold.“Initially, we worked on a lot of chess positions,” Aravind said. “Now, he makes sure I’m in good shape for every tournament. We don’t often work on the chess part; he makes sure my mentality is good, and I’m doing the right things. Now, he guides me more.”Read also: History maker at the age of 12. How did Argentine Faustino Ouro become the “Messi of chess”This orientation towards a balanced life is evident in Aravind’s lifestyle choices today. In an age where modern athletes are under constant pressure to build ‘personal brands’ and court sponsors through algorithms, Aravind is known to maintain a ghost-like digital presence.
What do you think is necessary for success in competitive sports like chess?
“I used to use social media, but now I realize it’s all a waste of time,” he said, laughing. “I feel much better without social media. Of course I use WhatsApp, and sometimes I watch YouTube, but life… I find it more peaceful.”Looking back at the winding road from a fatherless childhood to becoming a rising name in the Indian chess system, Aravind today inadvertently becomes an example of… “Patience is the key.” No one is surprised.
