NEW DELHI: As India moves a step closer to the mark of producing 100 grandmasters, Chennai, long hailed as the “Mecca of Indian Chess”, has once again found itself as the protagonist.On Sunday, Harshavardhan GB became India’s 97th Grandmaster (GM) from the same country. Taking three wins and one draw in the last four games to finish second with 6.5/9 points in the 2nd Chola Chess GM Norm Round Robin tournament, he secured the third and final GM norm.By the time the draw was confirmed in his final round match against veteran Mikhail Nikitenko, Harshavardhan was showered with congratulations from his fellow players and tournament organizers. But after a few handshakes, the 22-year-old rushed out into the waiting room, where he was met by an elated mother trying to hold back tears as she congratulated her son and received congratulations from other parents waiting in the hallway.It was a rewarding moment for the family, but for Harshavardhan it was above all a moment of immense relief. Why? Because the wait was long. Harshavardhan earned his International Master (IM) title back in 2020 and spent the next six years chasing the coveted title of GM.“I am relieved, first of all, to have finally completed it,” Harshavardhan told TimesofIndia.com during an exclusive chat. “And another good thing for me is that I took my IM title in Chennai, the last norm. Now, to do my GM title here is also special.”
Now a grandmaster, the pride of his parents
The emotional scenes outside the game hall were mirrored at home by Harshavardhan’s father, Gopalakrishnan K, a respected FIDE coach and former high-ranking competitive player who once led the Indian Bank chess team.For a father who spent years coaching other elite players, seeing his own son cross the ultimate threshold was an indescribable milestone.“There are no words to explain his happiness. He is extremely happy,” shared Harshavardhan. “He wanted to come (on site) right after (the GM norm was secured). He was very excited to be there.”The victory was also a tribute to his mother, who has been his regular companion for most of his career.“She followed me till the last three years in every tournament,” Harshavardhan recalled.
Harshavardhan GB with his mother (photo by @CholaChess on X)
Although logistical and health reasons meant that he began traveling alone in the last two to three years, her mother’s supervision never wavered.Even when I travel alone, she makes sure to arrange everything,” he added with a smile.
Origin of the Grandmaster
Harshavardhan’s introduction to the chessboard took place entirely within the cozy confines of his family home.When he was three or four years old, his father regularly held training sessions for visiting international masters and grandmasters.“They took classes at my home. At that age, I just watched them,” said Harshavardhan. “Then at some point, about four, I picked up the interest and started playing.”
Harshavardhan GB secures final GM norm (photo by @CholaChess on X)
Recognizing the boy’s quick affinity for the game, his father approached his close friend and Indian Bank teammate, FM Hariharan Venkatachalam, to guide the foundational stages of coaching in Anna Nagar, Chennai.Hariharan was immediately struck by the left-handed boy’s raw potential.“He was a very bright student, very quick in math as well,” Hariharan told this website. “In his early years, he showed his interest. He was very good at tactics at first. He was left-handed, so I thought he would be very good at something special.”
A ‘legend’ among friends
As Harshavardhan rose through the ranks, his keen tactical eye and unorthodox analytical ideas earned him an affectionate nickname among his fellow trainees.“We played practice games at that time while attending classes,” Harshavardhan explained with a smile. “I don’t remember if I was much better there or if I came up with some very creative ideas while doing those analyses. So somehow that name was picked up, and then it started.”His friends simply called him “legend”.That reputation was backed up by an incredibly consistent junior career. He won a bronze medal at the 2012 Asian Schools, a bronze at the 2015 Asian Youth and a silver for problem solving at the 2016 Asian Championships.In the country, he dominated the track, winning national championships in almost all age categories from under 9 to under 19. He later added the 2021 FIDE World Youth Online Under-18 Gold, the 2022 Asian Junior Gold, and even qualified for the FIDE World Cup.After his initial years with Hariharan, Harshavardhan worked closely with veteran coach Visweswaran Kameswaran until 2022, before switching to Grandmaster Deepan Chakkravarthy in 2024.“They were my real support, my coaches,” he emphasized.
When talent alone was not enough
Despite coming from a chess household, Harshavardhan’s path to the title of grandmaster exposed him to serious professional obstacles. Having a FIDE coach as a father gave him a clear path, but it could not protect him from the psychological weight of the sport.“You may know what’s coming, but you can’t stop what’s coming,” Harshavardhan mused. “You can say you know you might have to face this, but you can’t avoid facing challenges.”The biggest testing phase came during its excruciatingly long quest for the final GM norm after 2020. It suffered a heartbreaking string of near misses around the world.“I missed the GM norm very easily in 10 to 15 tournaments. Either it will be a technical part, or I will miss by half a point,” he added.
Harshavardhan GB (Photo: ChessBase India)
The practical difficulties of international travel also took their toll. During the event in Kazakhstan, major flight delays left him completely stranded for two days.Furthermore, maintaining a strict vegetarian diet in foreign countries became a constant logistical struggle.These challenges were made even more difficult by the absolute lack of financial support. Harshavardhan managed the expensive international circuit without a primary corporate sponsor.“I’ve never been on a scholarship, I’ve never been on a sponsorship. I had an Airport Authority scholarship for a while, but I’m not on anything right now,” he revealed.The financial burden fell entirely on his small nuclear family. “Every time you travel, you spend a lot. Not on something you don’t need, but just for tournaments and accommodation, the prices are high.”
A look into the future
After completing his Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) in 2024, Harshavardhan made a conscious decision to fully dedicate himself to chess as a full-time career.Now that the burden of the grandmaster title has been lifted, his goals are focused on the highest rank of world chess.“My only hope is to get to 2600, 2700. Like, become a super GM,” Harshavardhan concluded.
