“At Premier Chess Academy (PCA), our vision is to transform kids into the world of chess & support them along the transition. Each and every kid at PCA deserves a special appreciation but we have shortlisted (selection criteria below) the students. Friendly advice, “for student’s those who didn’t make it through – you will make it one day and for those who are the stars of the month – continue the practice as your bar goes up”.
Here we go to recognize the stars of the month (June 2026) at Premier Chess Academy, North America (Canada & USA)!
1. AADHIRA ARUNKUMAR
” Eleven-year-old Aadhira is a rising sixth grader with a profound passion for chess, a spark ignited after watching her cousin compete in a tournament. Known for her diligence and consistency, she strives to master advanced strategies and regularly tests her skills in tournaments. Under the expert guidance of Coach Abhi, Aadhira has turned into a confident, and independent player. Beyond the chessboard, Aadhira is a vibrant and creative individual who passionately pursues painting, singing, and dancing. Chess has done more than just sharpen her strategic thinking; it has anchored her discipline, heightened her concentration and fueled her love for learning.”
Coach feedback on AADHIRA:
” Aadhira is very curious about learning new things. She is focused, attentive and has a great interest in chess. She plays games with patience and has good intuition in chess. She completes assignments regularly. She follows the instructions and tries to implement them in games. Her growing skills in chess will surely help her to be a good chess player. I wish her a very bright future ahead.”
Few games of AADHIRA:
https://lichess.org/MnmoAt3F#49
2. Adhithi Sankaran
” Adhithi, a 12-year-old kid is very focused and dedicated in all her curricular and extra-curricular activities. She started learning chess and enjoys playing under the mentorship of her coach Mr. Ajnas. Apart from chess, she loves doing artwork. She is very sincere and gives her complete effort for the work to be done. With her determination she achieves things and inspires her cousins and friends. We are very proud of Adhithi as her parents and happy to know that she is the star kid of the month. Looking forward to seeing her achieve more in chess!”
Coach feedback on Adhithi:
” Adhithi is a sincere and dedicated chess student who consistently shows great focus and enthusiasm during classes. She actively participates in lessons, carefully applies the concepts she learns, and always puts in her best effort to improve her game. Her positive attitude, discipline, and willingness to learn have helped her make steady progress in chess. It is a pleasure to coach Adhithi, and I am confident that her determination and hard work will help her achieve many more milestones in her chess journey.”
Few games of Adhithi:
https://lichess.org/I1fiU3Ye/black
3. Ayansh Baraskar
” Ayansh is an eight-year-old rising third grader whose journey into chess began unexpectedly two years ago when his mom gifted him a chessboard. What started by watching YouTube videos quickly grew into a big passion. Since joining the PCA family, Ayansh has learned a lot from his coaches, Rakshan Vaishnav and Ayush Pattanaik. By competing in local, state, and national tournaments, he has gained a lot of experience. Beyond the thrill of winning, Ayansh has learned the valuable lessons of handling loss and making strong comebacks. When he is not playing chess, he enjoys cricket and is a big fan of Virat Kohli and Vaibhav Suryavanshi.”
Coach feedback on Ayansh :
” Ayansh has shown remarkable enthusiasm and commitment toward learning chess. He approaches every lesson with curiosity and attentiveness, making a sincere effort to understand the underlying ideas rather than simply memorizing moves. His willingness to apply newly learned concepts during practice games reflects a strong desire to improve and grow as a player. He actively participates in class discussions, asks thoughtful questions whenever he encounters difficulties, and demonstrates a genuine interest in refining his understanding of the game. Over the past few months, Ayansh has made steady progress in developing his chess skills and overall game awareness. If he continues to train with the same dedication and determination, I am confident that he will reach new heights in his chess journey and achieve many noteworthy accomplishments in the years ahead.”
Few games of Ayansh :
https://www.chess.com/game/live/175084912875?
https://www.chess.com/game/live/175770556707?username=ayanshbaraskar
https://www.chess.com/game/live/173954952783?username=ayanshbaraskar
4. Dakshin Karthic
” Meet Dakshin, Dakshin is a 13-year-old student who will be entering 8th grade this fall. He is an active and enthusiastic learner with a passion for sports and strategy games. His favorite activities include soccer, tennis, pickleball, badminton, and chess. Over the past year, Dakshin has been dedicated to improving his chess skills on Lichess. He enjoys analyzing positions, solving puzzles, and learning new strategies. Chess has helped him develop patience, focus, and critical thinking skills. A key part of his chess journey has been learning under the guidance of Coach Mr. Jeet. Dakshin appreciates Coach Mr. Jeet for his kindness, patience, and ability to teach valuable tips and tricks. Through consistent practice and determination, Dakshin continues to grow as a chess player. He looks forward to achieving new milestones and enjoying many more years of chess. ♟️🏆.”
Coach feedback on Dakshin:
” Dakshin is a passionate and talented chess player who loves to play chess in class. At such a young age, he has shown potential to perform well in practice sessions. He is a hard-working kid who takes interest in learning new concepts in chess he learned fast and good thing he never give up. He is very punctual in class and join every class on time. He used to participate in practice session with great efforts & always has a learning attitude while playing games I wish him very good luck for his Chess Career and keep it up…Keep it up Dakshin!”
Few games of Dakshin:
https://lichess.org/vKHPQI7c/black
https://lichess.org/bWHJU7hR/white
5. Jathin
” Jathin is a disciplined and dedicated 9-year-old with a strong passion for chess. He genuinely enjoys learning, playing, and continuously improving his skills in the game. Kind, positive, and enthusiastic, Jathin is a great team player who embraces challenges, enjoys solving puzzles, and always strives to give his best effort in every task he undertakes. Beyond chess, Jathin is also learning vocal music, enjoys watching cooking videos, and demonstrates excellent time-management skills by effectively time-boxing his activities. His curiosity, commitment to learning, and well-rounded interests make him a remarkable young learner. PCA has become an important part of Jathin’s journey, providing him with valuable opportunities to grow and develop. A special and heartfelt thank you to Coach Adarsh for his exceptional guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support in helping Jathin continue to flourish, not only as a chess player but also as a confident and responsible young individual.
Coach feedback on Jathin:
“Jatin is highly energetic and active boy. He is very passionate about chess. He is always attentive and excited to learn new things. Active nature, passion towards chess and hunger to learn new things make him an astonishing player. He is one of those kids who always wants to answer quickly. On top of that, most of his answers are correct. He is very keen to learn new things and apply them in the games. Best thing I like about him is that he participates in the practice sessions regularly and always tries to perform well. I feel very happy by seeing Jatin improvement and I hope he excels, even more.”
Few games of Jathin:
https://www.chess.com/game/live/175764556121?
https://www.chess.com/game/live/175765755725?
https://www.chess.com/game/live/175766956281?username=sjathinr&move=0
6. Jaxson Theodore Rubenacker
”Jax is 6 years old and just finished Kindergarten. In the last 7 months, he has gone from first being introduced to chess to playing almost daily with excitement. Win or lose, he continues to learn by analyzing his past games with a positive attitude. He always enjoys learning new concepts and practicing them against other players as well as teaching his friends at school how to play. When not playing chess, Jax plays multiple sports including baseball, ice hockey, and basketball. He also loves participating in Cub Scouts, playing with his friends and little sister, building with Lego, and watching the NY Yankees play. His family is so excited to see where his chess journey will take him in the future.”
Coach feedback on Jaxson:
”At just six years old and already charging toward Level 2, Jaxson is a true force of nature on the chessboard. True to his username, (Jaxattacks99) he brings a fearless, attacking style to the game that is an absolute joy to watch. While many young players might feel intimidated by higher-rated opponents or lose steam after a few matches, Jaxson thrives in the fire.
His commitment to the game is nothing short of extraordinary. Win or lose, his resilience keeps him coming back to the board. To put it in perspective: it is not unusual to see Jaxson log a staggering 50 games over a single weekend! Honestly, even I don’t play that much. All that relentless practice is exactly what sharpens his mind. It allows him to escape tricky situations and spot tactical opportunities that are invisible to most. Jaxson is highly curious in class, bringing a wonderfully cheeky confidence and a spirited, competitive edge to his games that keeps his opponents guessing and always on their toes. But the most enigmatic part of his gameplay is his creativity. Every so often, he will play a strange, uncanny move that makes me pause and think, “Wait, what did he just do?”—only to look deeper and realize it was actually a stroke of genius. Practice makes better, and Jaxson is living proof of that dedication. Keep attacking the board, Jaxson. I am incredibly proud to be your coach and can’t wait to see what the future holds for this Chess Star in the making!”
Few games of Jaxson:
https://lichess.org/h7i5k0KJ/black#130
https://lichess.org/JPfGXWcZ/black#50
https://lichess.org/zHCz1uYR/black#34
7. JYESHT PASYA
” My name is Jyesht Pasya, and I have been playing chess for the past four years. Besides chess, I enjoy playing tennis and swimming. I love learning chess with my coach, Ashish Singhal. He is very patient, fun, and helps me improve the areas where I need to become stronger in chess. I enjoy participating in both online and offline chess tournaments. Competing in tournaments helps me build confidence and improve my game. In the future, I hope to play in many more tournaments and achieve my dream of becoming a chess champion.”
Coach feedback on JYESHT:
”From the beginning, it was clear that he had a passion for the game. His initial curiosity and enthusiasm have now transformed into a deep understanding of chess strategies and tactics. He has shown remarkable improvement in several key areas like – following opening fundamentals, and ability to assess the position, spotting the tactics, composure & patience. His progress is a testament to his hard work, perseverance, and passion for the game. Keep up the excellent work. Remember, every game is an opportunity to learn and grow. I’m excited to see how far he will go with chess, and I’m here to support him every step of the way. Keep pushing your limits, and most importantly, keep enjoying the game!”
Few games of JYESHT:
https://www.chess.com/game/live/175073512925?username=jyesht7&move=0
https://www.chess.com/game/live/175074713535?username=jyesht7&move=0
https://www.chess.com/game/live/175076514177?username=jyesht7&move=0
8. Krish Nair
”Krish is 10 years old and will be entering 5th grade this coming school year. He showed interest in chess around age 8 and played his first rated tournament in February 2025, just before turning 9. Since then, he has shown significant improvement.
He joined PCA in May 2025, which marked a major turning point in his chess journey. Under Piyush, a highly knowledgeable and excellent coach, Krish has accelerated his development and grown more confident in tournament play.Outside of chess, Krish plays on a travel soccer team and also enjoys basketball. Math is his favorite subject, and he’s currently learning to code in Python and JavaScript. He takes piano lessons as well and enjoys playing piano.”
Coach feedback on Krish:
”Krish has demonstrated strong tactical awareness and a commendable dedication to chess. He approaches training seriously, works consistently on improving his game, and shows a positive attitude toward learning. His commitment and enthusiasm continue to drive steady progress.”
Few games of Krish:
https://www.chess.com/game/live/175085512911username=krishnair16&move=0
https://www.chess.com/game/live/175086712497username=krishnair16&move=0
https://www.chess.com/game/live/176387212589?username=krishnair16&move=0
9.Mrinalini Sharma
”Mrinalini Sharma and Her Growing Passion for Chess Mrinalini Sharma is an 11-year-old student who has been learning chess for the last six months at Premier Chess Academy. Under the guidance of Harshita Ma’am, she has developed a genuine interest in the game and looks forward to every lesson. Chess has taught her valuable skills such as concentration, patience, strategic thinking, and problem-solving. Besides chess, Mrinalini enjoys dancing and studying mathematics. She loves learning new dance moves and solving challenging math problems. The logical thinking required in mathematics helps her understand chess strategies more effectively. Through regular practice and encouragement from Harshita Ma’am, her confidence in chess has grown steadily. Mrinalini is excited to continue learning and improving her chess skills while pursuing her other interests with enthusiasm and dedication.”
Coach feedback on Mrinalini:
”Her overall performance is encouraging. She is building a solid foundation in chess fundamentals. With regular practice, careful analysis of games, and increased tactical training she has improved a lot. She has a positive approach to learning and showed good potential. Keep developing your calculation skills, opening principles, and endgame techniques. Stay patient and enjoy the learning process.I really want to see her progress in the upcoming chess tournaments, and I wish her all the very best for her bright future.!!.”
Few games of Mrinalini:
https://lichess.org/KP0QRhd8/black
10. Sanvi
”Sanvi is 6 years old and is a bright, curious girl who loves learning and exploring new interests. She enjoys practicing Bharatanatyam and music. Sanvi was introduced to chess recently, and she has shown wonderful progress. She has learned all the fundamental rules with excitement and has already begun participating in tournaments with confidence and curiosity. Her interest in chess continues to grow each day as she develops focus and strategic thinking. We want to thank PCA and her coach for their patience, encouragement, and guidance in helping Sanvi build her skills in chess. .”
Coach feedback on Sanvi:
”Sanvi has consistently demonstrated strong tactical awareness and analytical skills throughout her chess training. Her ability to identify patterns and solve complex puzzles with accuracy has been a standout feature of her development. She actively engages in lessons, showing genuine enthusiasm for learning and a solid grasp of fundamental tactical concepts.In recent sessions, Sanvi has excelled in mixed puzzle exercises, earning recognition for her correct solutions and sharp thinking. Her performance reflects a mature understanding of chess tactics, including checkmate patterns, pins, and discovered attacks. She approaches problems methodically and maintains focus even under time pressure. As Sanvi continues to progress, the focus will be on refining her understanding of complex tactical scenarios—particularly recognizing piece restrictions in advanced pin positions. With her strong foundation and consistent work ethic, she is well-positioned to advance to more sophisticated strategic concepts and competitive play. Sanvi’s dedication to verification and self-checking sets a positive example, and her continued growth promises exciting developments in her chess journey.”
Few games of Sanvi:
11. Shashankh Ram TP
”Shashankh has a deep, organic passion for chess that centers entirely on the psychological and tactical elements of the game. He doesn’t just play his moves but also plays to outmaneuver the mind of his opponent. His favorite aspect of the game is calculating variations that restrict his opponent’s choices, forcing them to make the exact moves he wants until they walk directly into a calculated trap. He also focuses on creating positions that dictate the flow of the game rather than just reacting to threats. Driven by the challenge of thinking several moves ahead to secure a forced tactical win. So much of thanks to Coach Nihal and PCA for developing these skills and for the motivation.”
Coach feedback on Shashankh:
” Shashankh is a highly dedicated and enthusiastic learner who consistently demonstrates a strong passion for chess. He actively participates in class and shows excellent focus while solving puzzles and applying concepts in his games. What sets him apart is his ability to think ahead and create tactical opportunities that put pressure on his opponent, often guiding the game in his favor. His understanding of tactics, calculation, and overall gameplay has improved significantly over time. With his disciplined approach and positive attitude, Shashankh has tremendous potential to achieve higher milestones. Keep up the excellent work!”
Few games of Shashankh:
https://lichess.org/exUGirNH
12. Shounak Roy
” He is 7 years old and has been taking chess lessons since last 2025 summer. Watching his growth, enthusiasm, and passion for the game has been truly amazing. As a second grader, he enjoys exploring many different hobbies while continuing to learn and grow. His favorite thing in the world is sharks! Shounak is the “jumping bean” of our household—full of energy, curiosity, and excitement. At the same time, he is remarkably focused and pays close attention to detail, qualities that have helped him develop both in chess and beyond. We would like to sincerely thank Girish for his patience, encouragement, and guidance. His thoughtful teaching has helped nurture Shounak’s love for chess and supported his progress every step of the way. We are truly grateful for the positive impact he has had on Shounak’s learning journey.”
Coach feedback on Shounak:
”Shounak is eager to learn new things and enjoys playing chess. His calculation ability is very strong and comes naturally to him. He has a lot of potential and approaches the game with a positive attitude. Even when he loses, he takes it as a learning experience and is ready to bounce back quickly. He is always willing to challenge himself, learn from his mistakes, and keep improving. This reflects a true champion’s mindset. I wish him all the best for a bright and successful future in chess!”
Few games of Shounak:
https://lichess.org/q6eEIdxN/black
https://lichess.org/XJhPFOW3/black
13. Skanda Manjunath
”I am Skanda, 11-years old, and been playing chess for 3 years. I love the game and want to keep getting better at it. My favorite player is Judith Polgar, the best female chess player in the world and the only one to break into the world’s top 10. I love playing games and tournaments more than puzzles because you have to spot tactics without knowing when they are coming. My coach, Shriram Sir, is great. He shows us how to play safely and have tactical awareness during the match. Other than chess, I love art, write books, and learn Bharatanatyam.”
Coach feedback on Skanda:
”Skanda is a very sincere and hardworking student. She is regular in her classes and remains highly focused during sessions. One of her best habits is maintaining her own notes for better understanding and asking questions whenever she has doubts. She has a classical style of play and is tactically aware. She also has a good understanding of positional chess. Overall, she has a universal chess style. Wishing her all the very best for her future chess journey.”
Few games of Skanda:
https://www.chess.com/game/live/170050323294username=skarmanj&move=0
https://www.chess.com/game/live/175771756191username=skarmanj&move=0
https://www.chess.com/game/live/169712544230?username=skarmanj&move=0
14. Sreepreethi ManurSreekantaMurthyGari
”SreePreethi aged 13, started her journey with premier chess academy on chess one year back with the guidance of coach Karthik. Mr. Karthik is an inspiring chess teacher who makes every lesson enjoyable and insightful. She achieved remarkable achievement with her coach’s effort. Coach Karthik is Dedicated, knowledgeable, and always encouraging—truly a fantastic chess coach. He brings out the best in Sreepreethi with his clear guidance and deep understanding of the game. For Sreepreethi, chess isn’t just about the board — it helps her understand everything better. We really appreciate the hard work done by the team at Premier Chess Academy. Best Wishes to the team and Coach Karthik!”
Coach feedback on Sreepreethi:
”Sreepreethi is really performing better every day, I have seen her rectifying herself whenever we find any mistakes with her games. She keeps learning new things and memorizing them. She tries to practice in her available time. It clearly shows her love and passion towards the game. She is very focused in regular sessions & always tries to implement the concept in her own games. She is very active and a Regular Student of Chess Sessions, which is highly appreciable. I wish her very good luck for her Chess Career…!!.”
Few games of Sreepreethi:
https://lichess.org/x1RFRiic/white
https://lichess.org/4R127Llr/black
https://lichess.org/sgiVv1ZX/black
Selection Criteria – June 2026:
- Regular in class and practice sessions.
- Displaying improvement in practices to reach top 3 positions.
- Puzzle solving and tactics findings in regular class.
- Generate quest in chess and regular in assignments.
- Overall – Passion is evident in class, practices, puzzle solving etc.
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