Lost father at 3, now India's first 2026 Esports Chess WC qualifier: Aravindh Chithambaram Exclusive

Aravindh Chithambaram's journey to becoming the first Indian to qualify for the 2026 Esports Chess World Cup is one of patience, perseverance and family support. After losing his father at just three, the Madurai-born Grandmaster was raised by his mother and grandparents, who stood firmly behind his chess ambitions. In this exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, Aravindh opens up about discovering chess through his grandfather, his mother's unwavering belief, the role of coach RB Ramesh, and the long road that took him from local tournaments to the global stage.