New Delhi | In a momentous meeting underscoring India’s rich chess legacy, young FIDE-rated players from Rajasthan — Alokik Maheshwari, Aradhya Upadhyay, and Hardik Shah — had the privilege of meeting renowned industrialist and chess patron Mr. L.N. Jhunjhunwala. Accompanied by their coach Mr. Prakash Parashar, the young talents visited Mr. Jhunjhunwala at his New Delhi residence on June 9, following their participation in the Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament held at Tivoli Gardens, Chhatarpur.
These students hail from Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya in Hurda, Rajasthan — one of four schools established by Mr. Jhunjhunwala to provide quality education and holistic development in rural Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The meeting not only celebrated their achievements but also reflected the enduring inspiration drawn from Mr. Jhunjhunwala’s lifelong commitment to the promotion of chess in India.
Mr. Jhunjhunwala’s visionary zeal transformed a personal passion into a nationwide movement. Through his efforts, chess was elevated beyond a game — it became a medium for nurturing strategic thinking, discipline, and mental resilience. His initiatives effectively bridged education and culture, making chess more accessible across diverse social strata.
His pivotal role in India’s chess revolution includes the founding of the National Chess Trust of India in 1973, which played a key part in developing the country’s chess infrastructure. His contributions led to the organization of India’s first-ever Grandmasters Tournament in 1982, significantly raising India’s international chess profile. Advocating for chess in school curricula, he also established the Botvinnik Chess Academy, where legends like Viswanathan Anand and Abhijeet Gupta trained.
Beyond chess, Mr. Jhunjhunwala promoted other sports such as karate, archery, shooting, yoga, and athletics to ensure the physical and mental growth of young students. His integrated vision of education and sports continues to serve as a model for balanced development.
He also launched India’s first chess magazine, Chess India, and actively promoted international collaboration in the sport. His innovative efforts not only popularized chess in a cricket-dominated country but also instilled a belief that Indian players could excel on the global stage — a belief that laid the foundation for India’s current success and global recognition in chess.
