“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 (July 2025) at Premier Chess Academy, North America (Canada & USA)!
1. Saikrishna Subramaniyan
“Sai is an enthusiastic kid who has lots of interest in learning Chess and accomplishing in chess by participating in tournaments and School level competitions. Besides Chess, Sai likes swimming, playing Soccer and video games with his friends. Sai also won couple of chess tournaments for the Novice Category.”
Coach feedback on Saikrishna:
“Saikrishna stands out as an exceptionally passionate and enthusiastic young kid, consistently demonstrating an eagerness to learn and embrace new tactics and strategies. He learns everything with dedication, and he can grasp things very quickly and easily. His progress has been very fast with consistency. He is always trying to compete against each other, and in other tournaments. His adherence to instructions and effective implementation of these in the game is a testament to his learning capability. I have no doubt that Saikrishna’s future is bright and filled with remarkable achievements.”
Few games of Saikrishna:
https://lichess.org/nGqydxmi#43
https://lichess.org/621QmFh6/black#36
https://lichess.org/TPIArKtm/white
2. Dominic Uribe-Montoya
“Dominic is a fun and curious 11-year-old who loves playing chess. His favorite chess player is Rey Enigma, and he enjoys learning cool new moves during practice. When he’s not playing chess, Dominic loves video games, playing soccer (his favorite player is Ronaldinho!), and shooting hoops in basketball—he’s a big fan of Stephen Curry. He also loves animals, especially his dog Gemini, and his favorite animal of all is the capybara. Dominic lives in Canada, but he’s very proud to be from Colombia. He’s always full of energy, loves to learn, and is a great teammate and friend!”
Coach feedback on Dominic:
“Dominic is making noticeable strides in chess, particularly in his approach to solving puzzles and engaging with new ideas. His active participation in discussions reflects a growing curiosity and eagerness to deepen his understanding. With continued effort and dedication, he is well on his way to becoming a skilled chess player.”
Few games of Dominic:
https://lichess.org/USRBhgAG
https://lichess.org/eRgBiBUC/black
https://lichess.org/n5SDS5A8/black
3. Ayushmaan Sarkar
“Ayushmaan is a bright and enthusiastic 9-year-old from Toronto, heading into 5th grade this fall. When he’s not immersed in chess, you’ll often find him zipping through Rubik’s Cubes with lightning speed or playing the piano—an instrument he taught himself simply by listening to tunes and figuring them out by ear. While he enjoys these hobbies, Ayushmaan’s true passion lies in chess. He thrives on solving complex puzzles and competing in tournaments, always embracing challenges with resilience and determination. As parents, we’ve seen how chess has helped shape his character—teaching him patience, perseverance, and strategic thinking. Beyond playing, Ayushmaan actively documents chess study materials across various platforms. This not only deepens his understanding of the game but also strengthens his language and communication skills. We are incredibly grateful to Coach Kunal for nurturing Ayushmaan’s love for chess and helping it grow into something truly meaningful.”
Coach feedback on Ayushmaan:
“Ayushmaan has shown remarkable growth recently, both in performance and in mindset. His ability to approach each position with focus and intention has improved significantly. One of the most notable changes has been his growing strategic awareness—he’s no longer just playing moves but thinking in terms of long-term plans and piece coordination. His calculation skills have also become sharper, and he is beginning to recognize the importance of accuracy over speed. The discipline and consistency he maintained throughout the month of May were especially commendable. Whether it’s a casual practice game or a tournament match, his effort has been focused and steady. With this kind of work ethic and curiosity, Ayushmaan is on a path to becoming a very strong player. The foundation is being built well—now it’s about staying consistent and continuing to challenge himself. Keep it up, Ayushmaan—very well done this month.”
Few games of Ayushmaan:
https://www.chess.com/game/live/146147598695
https://www.chess.com/game/live/146145203693
https://www.chess.com/game/live/146153602099
4. Arjun Srihari
“Arjun is 8-year-old with a natural flair for problem-solving, consistently demonstrates strong analytical thinking and creativity in everyday situations. His love for chess reflects his ability to think steps ahead, anticipate outcomes, and adapt his strategies—skills that shine both on and off the board. Outside of intellectual pursuits, Arjun is equally enthusiastic about swimming, where his discipline and focus help him excel. Whether he’s navigating a tricky chess game or perfecting his freestyle stroke, Arjun approaches challenges with determination and curiosity beyond his years. A special thanks to his coach, Chirag, whose constant encouragement and guidance is playing a pivotal role in motivating Arjun to reach greater heights.”
Coach feedback on Arjun:
“Arjun is a true standout whose vibrant curiosity has made a wonderful impact on our chess class. Arjun is a constant source of conversation, but it’s not just chatter – it’s genuine, infectious curiosity. His “why?” questions are a testament to his incredible thought process, and frankly, they often “fry my brain” in the best possible way! What’s truly remarkable is how Arjun’s inquisitiveness has inspired his classmates. Thanks to him, more kids are speaking up, asking questions, and engaging with the game on a deeper level. It’s inspiring to witness their developing minds at work, and Arjun consistently surprises me with his unique train of thought. While Arjun sometimes perceives a loss even when he’s not, a trait we’re actively working on, it never dampens his spirit. He’s a true fighter, and when faced with a setback, his immediate reaction is to strategize and fight back. I’m incredibly proud of his resilience and passion. Arjun, your thirst for knowledge and your fighting spirit are truly commendable. I can’t wait to see the great things you’ll achieve, both on the chessboard and in all your future endeavors!”
Few games of Arjun:
https://lichess.org/Rcrlkkk1/black#50
https://lichess.org/uVoTLrBI/black#50
https://lichess.org/nrWLPihS/black#42
5. Viaan Gowda
“Viaan, a bright and curious young talent, continues to impress everyone at Home and Premier Chess Academy with his remarkable focus, creativity, and love for learning. What started as a casual interest in chess has blossomed into a true passion—he approaches every game with thoughtful strategy, sharp logic, and a calm, determined mindset well beyond his years. Whether it’s solving chess puzzles, diving into new challenges, or bouncing back from tough games, Viaan’s resilience and curiosity shine through. Outside of chess, he is a voracious reader, he is actively pursuing swimming and jiu-jitsu, nurturing a balanced and joyful personality that makes him a well-rounded star. His dedication, discipline, and growth have made this recognition so well-deserved. We’re so proud of his journey—and this is only the beginning!”
Coach feedback on Viaan:
“Viaan is a young talented, hardworking and enthusiastic kid who pursues to keep on improving himself. He too has a very good learning ability, which enables him to grasp new concepts and ideas very quickly. He always gets actively involved in the class activities with full focus. He too shows great enthusiasm toward chess and mostly loves learning in classes along with playing with his fellow classmates. Viaan’s parents are also very positive toward chess. I am very much happy with the improvement of Viaan, and I too wish him a very bright future toward chess and in real life.”
Few games of Viaan:
https://lichess.org/5HJSuD3p/black#30
https://lichess.org/uHmJ1rKg#86
https://lichess.org/w6vuWyDl/black#20
6. Jai Aditya Adivishnu
“Aditya is 10 years old and is going to be in 5th grade. He has always loved chess and started practicing chess 2 years ago. He joined formal coaching from premier chess academy for 3 months, and he is enjoying the classes, practice sessions, and tournaments. Coach Tejas helped him to gain confidence in chess and improve his skill. Apart from chess, he enjoys reading books, building Legos, and playing video games. He is also learning Carnatic music vocals.”
Coach feedback on Aditya:
“Aditya is a highly dedicated and sincere student who brings focus and enthusiasm to every class. His commitment to learning is evident through his consistent attendance, active participation, and willingness to take on challenges. He shows great curiosity, often asking insightful questions that reflect a deeper understanding of the game. Aditya approaches each position with patience and logic, thinking through moves carefully before making decisions. He has made noticeable progress in grasping tactical concepts and applying them confidently in games. His positive attitude and eagerness to improve set a great example for others. Whether it’s solving puzzles, learning new strategies, or analyzing his games, Aditya does it all with a growth mindset. He listens attentively, adapts quickly, and never shies away from hard work. With continued practice and focus, Aditya is well on his way to becoming a strong and thoughtful chess player. Keep up the excellent effort, Aditya!”
Few games of Aditya:
https://lichess.org/looGTYml/black
https://lichess.org/nfRIhGKR/black
7. Saketh Udayagiri
“Saketh Udayagiri lives in Schaumburg, Illinois. And is going to study 8th grade starting in fall. He enjoys playing chess and is interested in understanding new openings and strategies. He started to like and enjoy chess when one of his friends played a game against him. He lost that game, but it sparked a start. In the past few months, he practiced and played more games where he learned from his mistakes. Other than chess he enjoys biking, swimming, and playing with his 6yr old sister. He also enjoys playing video games on his xbox with his friends. He has learned a lot from his coach Mihir who works very well with all his students, and with his guidance, Saketh learned a lot and gained a new love for chess.”
Coach feedback on Saketh:
“Saketh is an amazing kid. He always likes to try new things in his games and also is very eager to analyse his games so that he understands his mistakes and never repeat them again. He has improved immensely in last few months like his critical thinking has improved a lot and the patience he shows in a game also has been improved so overall he is doing great and my best wishes with him moving forward and I am sure it’s the start many more achievements to come his way.”
Few games of Saketh:
https://lichess.org/sgHZU2MW/black
https://lichess.org/JujGIhxO/black#52
8. Dakshin
“Meet Dakshin. Dakshin is a bright 12-year-old seventh grader from Dallas, Tx, with a passion for chess. With a strategic mind and a love for the game, Dakshin spends hours perfecting their moves and outmaneuvering opponents. Dakshin has a keen ability to concentrate and think critically. He enjoys puzzles and brain teasers. Thank you to Mr. Jeet for being an amazing coach and mentor.”
Coach feedback on Dakshin:
“Dakshin is a very curious boy who enjoys every moment of learning new concepts. Starting he was learning slowly but after informing him mistake he focused and improved. Then he learned fast and good things he never gave up. He is very punctual in class and joins every class on time. He used to participate in practice sessions 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/GHUkylTU/black
https://lichess.org/r2sNys8M/white
https://lichess.org/bwTgk7F1/black
9. Tarun Sivasankar
“Tarun Sivasankar, 12-year-old living in New Jersey. Since an early age he has shown interest in problem solving and taking up new challenges. He has developed keen interest in chess recently and has been determined to master the techniques and strategies. He enjoys playing chess games and watching soccer games during his leisure time. It has been a joy to watch him grow and excel in activities he takes upon which truly reflects his strong determination and dedication.”
Coach feedback on Tarun:
“Tarun has been showing remarkable progress in chess. His keen interest and consistent efforts are truly commendable. He grasps concepts quickly and applies them well during games. With continued focus and practice, he has the potential to become an excellent player. Keep up the great work, Tarun!”
Few games of Tarun:
https://lichess.org/X2T2Jbf8/black
Selection Criteria –July 2025:
- 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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