These are the words of 14-year-old Rishabh Kumar from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. I met Rishabh at the 1st Burhanpur Open Rapid Rating Tournament 2026 and was really amazed by the sincerity of this boy. Here is our interview incase you want to read. Else you can watch it here – https://youtu.be/LPkkj7FYanc?si=vgJURR78JV-0LlOn
Aditya Sur Roy: Hello Rishabh, congratulations on winning the silver medal in the under 14 category at the Commonwealth in Sri Lanka. Could you please tell us how was your experience there?
Rishabh Kumar: It was a great experience, and winning the silver medal was a deeply honorable moment for me. I would also like to thank my parents and my coaches for helping me and being there for me throughout.
Aditya Sur Roy: How difficult was the tournament?
Rishabh Kumar: It was a very intense tournament, especially because the stakes were very high and every round was important. It turned out to be a very good tournament for me.
Aditya Sur Roy: Amazing. Winning a medal for India is the biggest achievement a sports person can do. You are currently playing at the first Burhanpur Open rapid rating tournament. Have you been to Burhanpur before, and how was your experience coming here?
Rishabh Kumar: No, I have not been here before.
It is a great city, and the tournament was very well organized for a city like Burhanpur.
I heard it has the highest cash prize in all of Madhya Pradesh. The arrangements were good and the field was decent and strong, especially with the title players and Grandmasters. Switching from classical to rapid was very different at the start because there was no time to think, but I managed.
Aditya Sur Roy: Which was your favorite game from the tournament?
Rishabh Kumar: My game against GM Saptarshi Roy Choudhury was my favorite.
I started with a very great position and had a decent advantage in the middle game, but then I underestimated his chances and messed up the position. I still enjoyed playing against him.
Aditya Sur Roy: When did you start playing chess?
Rishabh Kumar: I started in 2018, and I won the silver medal at the under-7 nationals in 2019.
Aditya Sur Roy: And how did you start? Who taught you chess?
Rishabh Kumar: My elder sister, who is four years older than me, introduced me to chess. Then the interest just came, and I started playing.
Aditya Sur Roy: Which part of India are you from?
Rishabh Kumar: I was born in Delhi, but I live in Indore.
Aditya Sur Roy: What is the best thing you like about Indore?
Rishabh Kumar: The food, especially poha. I generally carry my own poha when I travel, but I eat it everywhere.
Aditya Sur Roy: How are you taking your career in chess? How easy or difficult is it?
Rishabh Kumar: Chess is very different from other sports because even if you reach a certain standpoint or benchmark, the struggle or the hard work never ends.
You just have to keep going.
Aditya Sur Roy: What is that one thing in chess that you like the most?
Rishabh Kumar: The amount of mental ability required, the memory, the analytical thinking, and handling the pressure on every single move.
I don’t think there is anything I don’t like about chess.
Aditya Sur Roy: Do you have a favorite chess player?
Rishabh Kumar: Garry Kasparov.
His style is very similar to mine, and I enjoy watching his games because they are full of sacrifices and attacking plays I would have never thought of.
My favorite game of his is one against Karpov from the World Championship where he completely outplayed him.
Aditya Sur Roy: What about currently active players?
Rishabh Kumar: I like Arjun Erigaisi.
His style is interesting because even when he just needs to hold a position to be champion, he goes for the win and makes complications.
It is very interesting to watch.
Aditya Sur Roy: Are you also studying along with chess?
Rishabh Kumar: Yes, I am in class 9th at Daly College, Indore.
I haven’t decided on a career with studies yet, but I will pursue them fully.
Aditya Sur Roy: What is your ambition in chess?
Rishabh Kumar: My short-term goal for this year is to get a title, and later on, I want to become a Super GM.
Aditya Sur Roy: Have you planned any other tournaments this year?
Rishabh Kumar: I haven’t planned them all yet, but I am playing in the Tech Open starting on the 12th.
Aditya Sur Roy: Amazing. Congratulations on the silver medal and your performance here. All the very best for the rest of the year.
Rishabh Kumar: Thank you.
Wishing the youngster the very best.
