In this episode of GyanMaster Diaries, host Aditya Sur Roy profiles 14-year-old chess prodigy Kolla Bhaavan, a rising talent from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Despite being untitled and facing significant financial hardship, the 2208-rated youngster has consistently outperformed GMs and IMs in high-stakes Indian tournaments. The interview highlights the grueling reality of their journey—fueled by a father’s immense personal sacrifice, including high-interest debt, and a son’s relentless dedication—as they fight to secure the sponsorship needed to take his game to the global stage. Aditya: Hello everyone, this is GyanMaster Aditya Sur Roy, and you know the most interesting thing about the work that I get to do is to meet new raw talents and inspiring characters of the world of chess—not only on the board, but also off the board. And sometimes you get to meet somebody who is just really special. So I was recently invited to Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh for the first Burhanpur Open FIDE-rated tournament. And there, I met Kolla Bhaavan. Kolla Bhaavan is just 14 years old and already 2208 rated. I spoke to his coach; they have a lot of financial constraints. Sometimes they do not have the financial ability to even travel to a chess tournament, but they are somehow managing. But this kid is some special talent. This is the first time I met him, and he just finished a tournament in VIT—that’s in Andhra Pradesh—he finished second. He finished 8 out of 9, and then took a train—did not even get the time to attend prize distribution—took a train, 13-14 hours, reached Burhanpur, and just 10 minutes or 5 minutes before the round he just enters the tournament hall. He just blows up the tournament; he finishes fourth in such a strong tournament where there were GMs and IMs and also FMs. He is such an interesting personality, and I hope this video reaches people who can help him, guide him, sponsor him, finance him, and may this talent be nurtured in the most proper way. So please watch the entire video, and if there is any way you can, please do support him. Announcer: The fourth-ranked player is Kolla Bhaavan. He’s from Andhra Pradesh, an under-15 child. He has scored 7 and a half points and will be getting 20,000 as the prize. Kolla is the only player who is untitled in the top 10 list. Round of applause for him. Aditya: Finished fourth in such a strong field. Yes, sir. How was your experience playing this tournament? Bhaavan: Yeah, it was… I felt great playing. It was a strong tournament and I played four titled players and scored 2.5 out of… Aditya: And you also defeated Grandmaster Saptaarshi Roy Chowdhury, right? Yes. What happened in that game? Bhaavan: I got a very big advantage in the opening, and then he… he mistake… he missed a tactic, and then I got a winning position in the middle game and converted it. Aditya: In India? You also defeated International Master Suyog? Bhaavan: Yes. Aditya: What happened in that game? Bhaavan: I know the Benoni structure very well, and I prepared for it in the before the game and it… I know the plans. So I… I know how to play in that opening. I got advantage, like that. Kept a tactic. Aditya: Amazing, amazing performance. You also increased almost 70 or 80 rating points, right? Bhaavan: Yes. Aditya: Great. And you finished a tournament just a few days ago, and you have come here to play? Bhaavan: Yes. Aditya: Which tournament were you playing in Andhra Pradesh? Bhaavan: VIT tournament. Aditya: And how was your performance there? Bhaavan: I came second. Aditya: You came second in the open category? Bhaavan: Yes. Aditya: Wow. How many points did you score? Bhaavan: I scored 8 out of 9. Aditya: There were one titled player only? Bhaavan: FM. Only FM. Aditya: Okay, okay. Tell us a little bit about you. How old are you exactly right now? Bhaavan: I’m 14. Aditya: 14. And when did you start playing chess? Bhaavan: I started playing chess when… seriously, when I was 8. Aditya: 8. How…? Bhaavan: I would see my father play chess, and then I got to know from him. Aditya: So your father is a chess player? Bhaavan: Yes. Aditya: So he used to play chess at home? Bhaavan: Yes. Aditya: And you got interested by seeing him? Bhaavan: Yes. Aditya: Okay. And how long did it take to learn and start beating your father in chess? Bhaavan: When you were 9 years old. 9 and a half years old. In one and a half years you learned and you started beating your father? Bhaavan: Yes. Aditya: Okay. And then how did you progress in chess? Which part of India are you from? Bhaavan: Andhra Pradesh. Aditya: Andhra Pradesh. Where in Andhra Pradesh? Bhaavan: Vijayawada. Aditya: Vijayawada. Okay. When I was learning the basics, my father was teaching. Okay. When I got serious, my hometown… Musalade academy, I learned from there. Aditya: Okay. So you went to an academy and then you started training with IM Ravi? How long have you been training with him? Bhaavan: Two and a half to three years. Aditya: Two and a half years. And what is your rating currently? Bhaavan: Classical, 2208. Aditya: 2208. Is that your peak? Bhaavan: Yes, sir. Aditya: Wonderful, wonderful. And which major tournaments have you played? Bhaavan: I played senior nationals, and I got second, and first in… I got first in three open tournaments, champion. And I played… I got second and third. Very so many tournaments, I got second and third. Aditya: Which tournaments did you like… stand first? Bhaavan: In Visakhapatnam tournament, and in… tournament in Guntur… I got first, champion. And another tournament in… tournament in Vijayawada, I got first. Aditya: Wow, amazing. And you are 2208 rated and you have never gone out of India to play? All the rating you have gained in India? Bhaavan: Yes. Aditya: This is amazing. India… passport also… you don’t even have a passport? Bhaavan: Yes. Aditya: So you don’t wish to go out and play? You are happy to play in India? Bhaavan: Yes. Aditya: Wow. Bhaavan: Some financial trouble, we looking for the sponsors. Aditya: Okay, okay. Okay, wonderful. I would now request your father, please, join. Join him. Why did you decide to come here? Because not many people from the South decided to come here? Bhaavan’s father: Yes sir, that’s why. We came by train—around 14 to 16 hours travel—to come here. We reached around 9:55, exactly right time for the round. We directly came for participation, so we did not have much time for the prize distribution. Aditya: Wonderful, wonderful. It’s good that you are bringing up such a talented youngster. Tell us about yourself, that how did you learn chess? Bhaavan’s father: I used to like the old, regular format in my hometown; I’m not a professional. I used to play part-time as a hobby and taught him for his time pass. I didn’t expect that he would become a professional chess player, but it is his interest. I decided to help him become a good player and bring him to tournaments. Every chess player’s dream is to become a Grandmaster, and I am trying to help him reach that goal. Aditya: Wonderful. And what do you do professionally? Bhaavan’s father: I’m a professional teacher in my hometown, teaching Hindi. Aditya: Hindi subject you’re teaching? Bhaavan’s father: Yes. I’m not fluent in English, but you speak very well. Congratulations on what you both have achieved. I’m sure there is a long way to go, and the path you are taking is difficult, but I believe it is the strongest path. Bhaavan’s father: Thank you so much for sharing your story. We are struggling to bring him abroad or improve his rating. I’ve spent a lot of money on coaching and tournaments—accommodation and travel costs. He has played around 200-300 tournaments, including state and rating tournaments. We have taken on debt, around 60 to 70 lakhs, because of his interest and improvement. We are looking for sponsors to help him improve and represent our country. He practices daily 10 to 12 hours at home. Aditya: Every day? Bhaavan’s father: Because of his passion, I’m not stopping him. I’m taking the struggle on myself and not putting pressure on him. I pray he becomes successful very soon. Aditya: So how are you currently managing his finances? Bhaavan’s father: I’m taking loans from colleagues and relatives for interest so he doesn’t have to stop. You have to play tournaments regularly to improve form and rating, so I’m struggling with the financial situation for the tournaments. Aditya: But whatever you are doing is wonderful. Bhaavan’s father: Every parent does the same thing, and I’m not stopping him. Thank you so much for sharing. All the very best. Bhaavan’s father: Thank you, thank you. Post navigation GyanMaster Diaries – Dr. Monomita Chakraborty The GM FT Srinath Narayanan Masterclass is all set to start in Hyderabad on the 27th of June.
