A curious boy
and a chessboard.
There was no grandmaster in the family and no master plan — only a curious boy and a board. In early 2025 a school report noted that he wasn't paying attention during chess. Then his two grandfathers, visiting over a festival, taught him the pieces at home. Weeks later he won a small society tournament in the Under-8 group. He was four.
In January 2026 his parents entered him into a real rated open. He scored one point out of nine. Most children would have stopped. Riyaan went home smiling — and asked to train.
"Whenever I lose, I get stronger." — Riyaan's chess philosophy, borrowed from his football coach
Within months the losses turned into medals. His parents, Naman and Ashma, learned the game alongside him. In one year he went from that first point out of nine to winning five medals for India in Singapore — a family journey that now runs from Bengaluru to the world stage.
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Jan 2026One point from nine
His first rated open. Most children would have stopped — Riyaan asked to train.
- Early 2026
He chose to train
Losses became lessons. His parents learned the game alongside him.
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Feb–May 2026Medals & a state title
Team gold at the state schools championship, an international FIDE-rated open, and youngest winner of the Karnataka State Under-7 title.
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Jun–Jul 2026Playing up
A 5th at the Udupi state schools event — then, at five, runner-up overall in an Under-13 open.
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Aug 2026Five medals for India
Represented India at the 24th ASEAN+ Championships in Singapore — two individual bronze and three team silver.
- Sep 2026
FIDE-rated
Became the third-youngest player in Karnataka to earn a FIDE classical rating.
