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 (October 2025) at Premier Chess Academy, Middle East!
1.Calvin George
” Calvin has always been a curious and enthusiastic learner. After learning the basics of chess from his grandfather, he insisted on joining chess classes — and that’s when we discovered PCA. Since then, his passion for the game has only grown. He never misses a single class and looks forward to every session with excitement. We’re truly happy and proud to see how much he’s learning and enjoying his journey with PCA so far”
Coach feedback on Calvin:
” Calvin is an enthusiastic and active learner who approaches every topic, subject, and puzzle with creativity and originality. His curiosity and eagerness to ask questions reflect a genuine passion for learning and exploring new ideas. This inquisitive mindset will undoubtedly be a great asset to him in both academics and sports. I have observed remarkable and consistent progress in his games, and I sincerely wish him continued success and excellence in all his future endeavors.”
Few games of Calvin:
https://lichess.org/YnZCx0pa/black
https://lichess.org/xmPcEjiO/black
https://lichess.org/L2LorT1D/black
2. Aahan Chaturvedi
” Aahan is 9 years old, currently studying in Year 5 and living in Dubai. His journey with chess began at the age of 6, initially driven by a playful desire to outsmart his father. Over time, what started as a fun challenge soon transformed into a deep passion for the game. Every match, regardless of the result, teaches him valuable lessons and brings him immense joy. His ultimate dream is to become a Grandmaster one day. The Premier Chess Academy has played a key role in sharpening his skills and deepening his understanding of the game. He is sincerely grateful to Coach Shriram and Coach Anshul for their constant guidance and encouragement, which have been instrumental in his growth as a player. Recently, Aahan participated in local community tournaments with no age restrictions, where he secured fourth place and was recognized as the Youngest Best Player. Beyond the chessboard, Aahan enjoys watching cricket and solving brain-teasing puzzles like Sudoku and crosswords. He has shown exceptional mathematical ability from a young age. Recently, he proudly represented himself in the Math Olympiad World Cup, where he ranked 6th among 1,000 participants, an achievement that was both inspiring and motivating. In his free time, Aahan loves exploring his interests in chess, math, and science, always eager to learn and challenge himself further.”
Coach feedback on Aahan:
” Aahan works really hard in chess class. He loves to play games but is very serious during the puzzle sessions. He is improving his skills fast; I hope to see him achieving more heights in chess.”
Few games of Aahan:
3. Neerav Krishna Navaneeth
” Neerav Krishna N, 9 years old, is currently studying in Grade 4. He is originally from Kerala and lives in Abu Dhabi with his parents. Neerav is a cheerful and curious child who enjoys exploring new things and asking thoughtful questions. His interests include science experiments, puzzles, reading about space, and playing chess. He has been learning chess for some time now and truly enjoys every class — especially the way each game teaches patience and new ways of thinking. Chess has helped him become more focused and confident in making decisions, both on and off the board. We would like to express our sincere thanks to Coach Harsha Raj Gupta for his kind guidance and encouragement, which make learning so enjoyable for Neerav. We are also grateful to Premier Chess Academy for nurturing his curiosity and creating such a positive learning environment.”
Coach feedback on Neerav:
” Neerav has shown impressive focus and steady progress in his chess journey. He listens carefully, learns from his mistakes, and applies new ideas thoughtfully in every game. His logical thinking and calm approach under pressure highlight his growing maturity as a chess player. Keep going, Neerav! Your consistency, curiosity, and dedication are truly commendable — you’re building a strong foundation for great success ahead!”
Few games of Neerav:
https://lichess.org/sYgomD1z/black
https://lichess.org/mbA93fcj/black
4. MEER JATINKUMAR KATRODIYA
” The transformation in Meer’s chess over the past year has been remarkable. His rating and skill have improved rapidly, but it’s the quality of his wins that truly astonishes. Meer exhibits strategic thinking, a genuine passion for chess, and the ability to calculate long variations with a maturity well beyond his years. He approaches the board with an intense focus and patience. Crucially, this mental discipline has had a direct, positive impact on his academics, significantly improving his schoolwork. Guided by his coach, Meer has developed a dedicated and focused attitude that is making a difference in all aspects of his life. We are incredibly proud of his commitment.”
Coach feedback on MEER:
” Meer 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 memorizes it. 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 MEER:
https://lichess.org/XLl2mC5v/black
5. Samarth D Uluwaru
” I am writing to you today to share information about Samarth D Uluwaru, a seventh-grade student at Woodlem School Dubai. Samarth is a top-performing student in his class and is highly regarded by both his teachers and peers. Beyond his academic achievements, Samarth is also a talented dancer, having participated in and won several dance competitions. He is an active participant in school sports, playing both cricket and football. His true passion, however, lies in chess, a game he began playing at the age of six. His father initially introduced him to the game, and he is currently mentored by Mr. Jeet Singh. Samarth has represented Woodlem School in chess since the fifth grade. He dedicates a significant amount of his time to studying world-class games and solving puzzles. Under Mr. Singh’s guidance, his chess skills have shown remarkable improvement. We are hopeful that with Mr. Singh’s continued mentorship, Samarth will achieve his dream of becoming a Grandmaster.”
Coach feedback on Samarth:
” Samarth is a very curious boy who enjoys every moment of learning new concepts. He learns fast and good things he never gives 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 Samarth!”
Few games of Samarth:
https://lichess.org/MRis6wal/white
https://lichess.org/BZFLQ1xu/black
https://lichess.org/eEy7xvhU/white
Selection Criteria –October 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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