“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 (August 2025) at Premier Chess Academy, India!
1.SAI RITESH PAPILY
“Sai Ritesh Papily, a passionate 14-year-old from Bangalore, is mastering the art of balancing academics with his deep love for chess. Under the guidance of his coach, Ramendra Ranjan, Sai has demonstrated exceptional growth, consistently challenging himself and even defeating higher-rated players through strategic play and unwavering determination.What sets Sai apart is his mindset—he views every defeat as an opportunity to learn, analyze, and improve. His eagerness to grow drives him to study chess deeply, often enhancing his skills by watching and analyzing games on YouTube. He enjoys playing with his mother, cherishing the joy of the game beyond competition.Chess has not only sharpened his tactical abilities but has also positively influenced his academics. By applying chess strategies to problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making, Sai has strengthened his overall approach to learning and life. His resilience, curiosity, and passion for continuous improvement make him a true star on and off the chessboard.”
Coach feedback on :
“Ritesh is really performing better and better every day, I have seen him rectifying himself whenever we find any mistakes with his games, he keeps learning new things and memorizing them. He tries to practice in his available time. It clearly shows his love and passion towards the game. He is very focused in regular sessions & always tries to implement the concept in his own games.I wish him very good luck for his Chess Career…!!”
Few games of :
https://lichess.org/QT3EFBO4/black
2.Nimish Gupta
“Nimish is 5 years old and studying in LKG. He is living in Assam, India. He developed an interest in chess through his parents and quickly grew to love the game. He enjoys exploring new strategies, often asks for extra puzzles, and never misses a chance to suggest moves when his parents play.Apart from Chess, Nimish is curious about the world. He already knows the capitals and flags of most countries and also enjoys swimming and badminton. We are thankful to Coach Aniket for making Chess fun and guiding him with patience and encouragement.”
Coach feedback on Nimish:
“Nimish is always very active in class and approaches every topic, subject, or puzzle with unique and creative ideas. His curiosity and eagerness to ask questions reflect his strong desire to learn new concepts. This curiosity will undoubtedly be a great asset for him in both academics and sports. I have observed consistent progress in his games, and I sincerely wish him all the very best in his future achievements.”
Few games of Nimish:
https://lichess.org/h4xDZ684#0
3. NADASHA R
“Nadasha R is seven years old, studying in Grade 3 in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Bhavans) from Kerala. She is the class topper and School topper in her Curriculum. She started practicing chess a year back. After she joined the Premier Chess Academy, she became highly dedicated and highly passionate in the game. The class lead by Raunak Gupta sir helped her a lot to develop a disciplined way of practicing the game with commitment. Her hard work and commitment to the game helped her to achieve consistent progress and to develop skills to solve tedious puzzles. She participated in various chess competitions and obtained remarkable achievements. In addition to chess, she is talented in singing and dancing. She won National level 4th rank in All India Mathematics, Science talent Examination, state level 2nd rank in Spell bee All India competition and many other achievements in her Curriculum.”
Coach feedback on Nadasha:
“Nadasha R is a highly dedicated and sincere student who shows great enthusiasm in her chess journey. She is very punctual and consistent in playing her games, always giving her best effort in practice and learning. Her obedience, discipline, and cheerful nature with a constant smiling face make her a delight to teach. Nadasha’s eagerness to learn and improve shines through in every session, and her positive attitude sets a wonderful example for others. She truly deserves the recognition as the Star Kid of the Month. Congratulations Nadasha!!”
Few games of Nadasha:
https://lichess.org/aRA0g9tT/black
https://lichess.org/oy6S1H2x/black
4. Yashashwin Pandey
“Yashashwin is a 10-year-old from Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, studying in Class 5. He is a bright and charming child who loves learning new things. His interests include playing chess, cricket, and reading books. Among these, chess is his true passion. He joined Premier Chess Academy in September 2022 and has been thoroughly enjoying his journey there. Thanks to the dedicated mentorship of Kunal Sir, Yashashwin has now been promoted to Intermediate Level-1. Under his guidance, Yashashwin continues to sharpen his skills. The journey has just begun, and there are still miles to go…”
Coach feedback on Yashashwin:
“As Yashashwin’s coach, I am delighted to see his passion and steady growth in chess since joining Premier Chess Academy. At just 10 years old, he shows remarkable focus, curiosity, and eagerness to learn. His promotion to Intermediate Level-1 reflects his dedication and love for the game. This is just the beginning of his journey, and I am confident he will achieve many more milestones ahead.”
Few games of Yashashwin:
5. Avanthika Pradeep
“Avanthika is a 10-year-old 5th grader from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has always been a bright and dedicated student who gives her best in everything she does. A passionate reader, Avanthika also enjoys swimming and playing badminton. However, her greatest enthusiasm lies in chess—so much so that she eagerly looks forward to her weekly classes, practice sessions, and tournaments. We are deeply grateful to Premier Chess Academy and Coach Sarthak for their invaluable guidance, constructive feedback, and constant encouragement during every tournament and training session.”
Coach feedback on Avanthika:
“Avanthika has earned her place as one of our Star Kids this month through her steady commitment and visible growth in her chess journey. Her thoughtful approach to the game, combined with a willingness to explore and learn, has made her stand out. Throughout August, Avanthika demonstrated an increasing depth in her play. She continues to show patience in decision-making, resilience in challenging positions, and a growing sense of confidence at the board. Her quiet consistency and eagerness to improve reflect qualities that are essential in long-term development. Avanthika’s progress is a testament to what focused effort and a curious mindset can achieve. We look forward to seeing her continue this promising path, and we are excited for what lies ahead in her journey.”
Few games of Avanthika:
https://lichess.org/3uRBvJ5M/black
https://lichess.org/Kpd5MiQu#75
Selection Criteria – August 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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