As India’s remarkable rise in world chess continues to gather pace, a new generation of young players is emerging to carry the nation’s legacy forward, as reported by Rediff.
Among them are teenagers Rishabh Kumar and Adhiraj Mitra, two promising talents whose recent performances have once again highlighted the depth of India’s growing chess ecosystem.
According to Rediff, Indian players returned from the Commonwealth Youth Chess Championship in Sri Lanka with an impressive collection of medals.
Among the standout performers were Rishabh Kumar of Indore and Adhiraj Mitra of Jamshedpur, whose achievements drew attention for very different reasons.
One has successfully balanced excellence in chess with an outstanding academic record, consistently ranking among the top students in school.
The other etched his name into history by becoming the first player from Jharkhand to win a medal at the Commonwealth Youth Chess Championship, bringing international recognition to his state.
As reported by Rediff, although their journeys into chess began under entirely different circumstances, both youngsters embody the discipline, commitment, and ambition that are helping India strengthen its position as a global chess powerhouse.
One discovered the game by watching his elder sister learn chess. The other inherited a deep family connection to the sport.
Today, both Rishabh Kumar and Adhiraj Mitra are regarded among India’s brightest young chess prospects.
A Curious Observer Turns Into a Chess Prodigy
For 13-year-old Rishabh Kumar, the journey began in Delhi in the most unexpected way. There was no carefully designed plan to create a chess champion. Instead, the spark came when his elder sister, Riddhi Maheshwari, decided to learn the game.
According to Rediff, while Riddhi attended lessons and practised regularly, young Rishabh often sat nearby, quietly observing the moves and strategies unfolding before him.
"My daughter Riddhi wanted to learn chess. While she was playing, Rishabh used to sit beside her and watch. Soon he picked up the game himself," recalls his mother Ruchi Maheshwari, a home maker.
What began as casual observation soon revealed an exceptional natural talent. Riddhi herself was a capable player, having finished third in the Delhi State Under-9 Championship and represented her school in School Game Federation of India competitions.
However, it quickly became evident that her younger brother possessed an extraordinary instinct for the game.
At just five years of age, Rishabh participated in his first chess tournament. His parents later enrolled him under Coach Karun Duggal, laying the foundation for a journey that accelerated after the family relocated to Indore.
Building a Champion
The results have been remarkable. Rediff reported that Rishabh has won multiple state titles across various age categories and recently added a major international achievement to his growing list of accomplishments by securing the silver medal in the Under-14 Open Classical category at the Commonwealth Youth Chess Championship 2026 in Sri Lanka.
His development has not been measured solely by medals and trophies. Equally important has been his steady rise in playing strength, reflected through significant rating gains at tournaments across India.
Interestingly, one of the biggest challenges during his early development was teaching him to slow down his game.
"Initially he used to play very fast and had to be slowed down," says Ruchi.
The adjustment proved easier than expected.
"Slowing down was not difficult and did not pose any challenge. Now it is more of a positional and not a tactical game," says Rishabh.
His style of play reflects the influence of several chess icons. Former World Champion Garry Kasparov remains his favourite player, while he also admires the precision and consistency of Magnus Carlsen.
Among Indian players, his greatest admiration is reserved for Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi.
"He does not go for a draw. He is an aggressive player," says Rishabh.
The Road to Grandmaster
Currently carrying a FIDE rating of 2,062, Rishabh has already established ambitious goals for himself.
According to Rediff, his immediate objective is to cross the 2,300 rating barrier and earn an International Master norm during the current year.
"I am working hard and I am in good form," he says confidently.
That confidence is supported by a disciplined training schedule. During school sessions, he dedicates around four hours each day to chess. During holidays, that commitment rises dramatically to seven or eight hours daily.
"I read chess books, solve puzzles and check openings," he says.
His training includes coaching under Siddhant Gaikwad of Pune, participation in group classes conducted by Grandmaster Swayam Mishra, and attendance at specialised camps organised by Chola Chess in Chennai.
Despite his growing success, his long-term objective remains clear.
"I want to become a Grandmaster and achieve a rating of 2,700. Turning into a chess professional depends on the future situation. I will continue to focus on my academic career too," says Rishabh.
Family Sacrifices and Life Beyond the Board
Behind every young champion stands a supportive family, and the Maheshwaris have embraced the challenges that accompany competitive chess.
"Chess is a costly sport because players have to travel abroad to increase their rating. There are not enough tournaments in India," says Ruchi.
According to Rediff, international tournaments often present additional challenges for the family because they follow a strict vegetarian lifestyle.
"I usually carry food for both of us during tournaments abroad. Like any normal Indian child, Rishabh likes dal and roti and doesn't like junk food. Curiously, he loves bitter gourd (karela) and we have to stop him from overdoing it," she says with a smile.
Away from chess, Rishabh enjoys a variety of sports, including table tennis, badminton, swimming, and horse riding.
He has also excelled academically, earning distinctions in Olympiads, receiving recognition as a 'Maths Wizard,' and winning the prestigious Beville Award as the best all-round junior school student at Daly College, Indore.
Adhiraj Mitra: Continuing a Family Tradition
While Rishabh discovered chess almost by accident, Adhiraj Mitra’s journey was deeply influenced by family heritage.
According to Rediff, the 12-year-old from Jamshedpur recently became the first chess player from Jharkhand to win a medal at the Commonwealth Youth Chess Championship Under-14 category, creating a historic milestone for the state.
His performance at the Commonwealth Youth Chess Championship 2026 in Sri Lanka was exceptional. He returned home with three medals—gold in Blitz, silver in Rapid, and bronze in Classical Chess.
The achievement came just days before his June 6 birthday, making the success even more memorable for the Class 9 student of Loyola School, Jamshedpur.
In the previous edition held in Malaysia in 2025, he had already won a gold medal in his age category.
Unlike Rishabh’s journey, Adhiraj grew up surrounded by chess. His mother, Runa Mitra, comes from a family with deep roots in the sport.
Her brothers Dushyant Das and Abhishek Das are FIDE-rated players and coaches, while her sister Alka Das secured third place in the National B Women's Championship in 2004. Their father, Ambika Das, was also closely associated with the chess community and shared a friendship with the late International Master V Koshy.
Although Runa chose to pursue Indian classical music, it was her father who introduced Adhiraj to chess.
"When Adhiraj was about six years old, my father taught him about chess pieces and their arrangement. That was where he started playing the game," recalls Runa.
Guided by Elite Coaches
The impact was immediate. Shortly after learning the basics, Adhiraj entered a local tournament and emerged victorious.
Recognising his talent, the family enrolled him under Coach Ashok Varma in Jamshedpur. His uncles also played a vital role in nurturing his development.
As his game evolved, so did the quality of coaching available to him. According to Rediff, Adhiraj has trained under Grandmasters Pravin Thipsay, Ankit Rajpara, and Thejkumar, Woman Grandmaster Priyanka Nutakki, and several experienced coaches within his family.
Like Rishabh, he also participates in Chola Chess training camps in Chennai.
Each coach contributes uniquely to his development.
"Priyanka focuses on openings, Ankit on positional play and Thipsay sir teaches model games and deep positional understanding," says Adhiraj.
A Historic Breakthrough
One of the defining moments of Adhiraj’s young career came earlier this year during the 4th Gujarat International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament.
Playing with the black pieces, he defeated Vietnamese Grandmaster Nguyen Duc Hoa, securing his first victory against a Grandmaster.
"It was a roller-coaster game," he recalls.
Currently rated 2,172, Adhiraj balances his competitive chess career with academics while also finding time for movies and his love of food, especially non-vegetarian cuisine.
Two Different Journeys, One Shared Dream
Although their paths have been very different, Rishabh Kumar and Adhiraj Mitra share several defining qualities—discipline, determination, and an unwavering commitment to improvement.
According to Rediff, both youngsters have also managed to excel academically while pursuing success on the international chess stage.
One learned chess by watching his sister. The other inherited a family tradition that spans generations.
One dreams of becoming a Grandmaster while continuing to focus on academics. The other is already creating history for his state through landmark achievements.
Together, they represent the future of Indian chess—talented, ambitious, fearless, and eager to compete with the very best in the world.
As India’s chess revolution continues to accelerate, Rediff noted that rising stars like Rishabh Kumar and Adhiraj Mitra are ensuring that the country’s future on the 64 squares remains brighter than ever.
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