“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 (December 2025) at Premier Chess Academy, North America (Canada & USA)!
1. Aadya Karnati
“Aadya is a bright 7-year-old residing in Sacramento, California, currently studying in the second grade. Her formal chess journey began when she enrolled in Premier Chess Academy during her first grade year. Aadya has developed a strong and growing interest in the game. Her passion is evident as she enjoys watching chess games on YouTube to enhance her understanding and skills. She regularly plays chess games with her father and is now eager for her 4-year-old brother to join in. While Aadya explored other extracurricular activities, such as music and gymnastics, she did not continue with them after a few months. Her experience with chess, however, has been distinctly different; she wanted to stick with it and displayed an eagerness to learn and improve. A crucial element of Aadya’s continued development and success is her dedicated teacher, Anisha. Coach Anisha has been instrumental in molding Aadya and consistently improving her progress. A big shoutout to her teacher for her efforts. We are thrilled to see Aadya’s passion for strategic thinking grow. She is truly enjoying her journey with the Academy so far.”
Coach feedback on Aadya:
“Aadya is an enthusiastic and dedicated student, she actively participates in matches and enjoys experimenting with creative ideas on the chessboard. With a strong ability to solve puzzles and quickly grasp new concepts, she consistently applies the tactics taught in class with confidence. She is punctual and attentive. Her passion for chess and love for learning truly set her apart. It is a pleasure to have Aadya as a student, wishing her continued success, keep it up, Aadya!”
Few games of Aadya:
https://lichess.org/OTu9RCSZ/black#20
https://lichess.org/qGfTIj75#35
https://lichess.org/QfaxTyVk#79
2. Shriya
“Shriya is in 7th grade. She started playing Chess 2 years back and always wanted to learn Chess. She is enjoying her Chess lessons. Thanks to Coach Mr Abhishek for his efforts and motivation. We truly appreciate his support and cooperation. In her school, She ranks among the top performers in her grade and is highly admired by teachers. Playing Chess helps her implement the game strategies to solve complex problems in math and science. Apart from Chess, she enjoys art and playing violin. We hope she will do better in her future. Beyond the chessboard, she is a violinist and enjoys playing violin. She is a part of the orchestra in her school. She also loves to play with her friends. Shriya is a highly creative, extremely talented, hardworking kid. Her passion for hiking through the woods showcases an adventurous side and she is just as comfortable exploring the great outdoors as she is solving a complex puzzle. Her coach Mr Abhishek Kumar is an exceptional coach, and we are deeply grateful for the efforts and tireless dedication he invests in training all his students.”
Coach feedback on Shriya:
“Shriya 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. Shriya 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.Shriya’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 Shriya:
https://lichess.org/yf7dgXbZ/black
https://lichess.org/lXMDmSek/black
3. Ishaan Samar
“Ishaan loves chess, he is persistent and works hard to improve his game.”
Coach feedback on Ishaan:
“Ishaan has been an exceptional learner who always brings focus and enthusiasm to every chess session. He quickly grasps new concepts, applies them confidently, and shows great improvement in his tactical and positional understanding.”
Few games of Ishaan :
https://lichess.org/q5bYMT0a#0
https://lichess.org/vddt7mzy/black
4. RAIZA ARIFF BASHA
“Raiza aged 6, started her journey with Premier Chess Academy on chess a year ago with the guidance of coach Karthik. Over this period, she has shown outstanding improvement, thanks to the coach’s consistent guidance and effort. We truly value the dedication of the whole team. Warm wishes. Mr. Karthik is an inspiring chess teacher who makes every lesson enjoyable and insightful. For Raiza, chess isn’t just about the board — it helps him understand everything better. We extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Chess Coach Mr. Karthik & Premier Chess Academy for their continued dedication, professionalism, and commitment to nurturing young minds.”
Coach feedback on RAIZA:
“Raiza is really performing better and 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 RAIZA:
https://lichess.org/o4bH8Xkw/black
https://lichess.org/yYwAOw15/white
https://lichess.org/iF97Vhfd/black
5. Taha Abdelmejeed
“Taha is a second-grade student who is deeply passionate about chess. He truly enjoys the challenge the game offers and loves thinking carefully about each move. Chess helps him develop strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and he is always excited to learn new strategies and techniques. Taha approaches every game with focus and determination, constantly striving to improve his skills. He enjoys practicing, learning from his mistakes, and challenging himself to become a better player. His goal is always to grow, gain confidence, and win every match while having fun and learning along the way.”
Coach feedback on Taha:
“Taha was very enthusiastic and always very active in the class. He’s a quick learner & his interest towards chess is impressive. He never fails to impress by coming up with his own unique combinations in every game he plays or in every puzzle he solves. His energy level is very high, along with his smartness he’s capable of achieving great heights in the future. I wish him all the very best for his upcoming chess achievements.”
Few games of Taha:
https://www.chess.com/game/live/159368852081?username=taha_2017
https://www.chess.com/game/live/159366451273username=taha_2017
https://lichess.org/IrFOlw3H/black
6. AANSHI PALICHERLA
“Aanshi is a happy and enthusiastic fourth grader who lives in Virginia with a wide range of interests and talents. She loves playing chess, reading books, swimming, and playing the piano. She is very kind, polite, caring, and she always likes to help and cheer up others. Her strong sense of responsibility, thoughtfulness and creativity makes her a wonderful role model among her peers. Aanshi is very good at math and enjoys solving puzzles and tricky problems. She also has a keen ear for music and enjoys listening to her favorite band, KATSEYE. At home, she is a loving elder sister to her younger sibling, who is a first grader. Aanshi has a deep appreciation for nature, including plants and animals, and a strong curiosity about the world. She loves traveling and learning about different cultures. She has visited many countries and states. Some of her favorite destinations are Iceland, Puerto Rico, India, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Alaska. In addition to that, she loves welcoming guests and happily guides them, helping them get to know and explore her city. Her interest in chess was inspired by her Indian heritage. She joined PCA two years ago and she would like to express her sincere thanks to her coach, Mr. Prabhat Kumar, for helping and guiding her.”
Coach feedback on AANSHI:
“Aanshi is a dedicated, kind, and enthusiastic student who consistently shows strong thinking skills and a genuine love for chess. She is very regular with her practice and attends sessions consistently, always coming prepared and eager to learn. Her positive attitude, discipline, and willingness to support her peers make her a wonderful role model. It has been a pleasure coaching Aanshi. I wish her all the very best for her future success.”
Few games of AANSHI:
https://lichess.org/hA7b4Bnd/black
7. ADRIJA BASAK
“Adrija is an energetic and curious 11-year-old girl with a love for both adventure and learning. She enjoys horse riding, chess, piano, ice skating and gymnastics, and is always eager to stay active. When her father goes camping, Adrija happily joins in to help, showing responsibility and a strong connection to the outdoors. She is also an impressive long-distance kayaker, demonstrating determination and endurance. In school, Adrija shines in mathematics and science, where her curiosity and problem-solving skills truly stand out. Whether exploring nature or exploring new ideas, Adrija approaches everything with enthusiasm and confidence.”
Coach feedback on ADRIJA:
“Adrija is really performing better and 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. I wish her very good luck for her Chess Career…!”
Few games of ADRIJA:
https://lichess.org/P1lovLeV/black
https://lichess.org/Sg2UtOGl/black
8. Mahith Gonuguntla
“Mahith is 11 years old and is in 6th grade. He started chess less than a year ago with a dual mind, but his coach Sahil’s techniques to keep kids engaged has helped him to focus and learn new skills. Since then he enjoys playing and also look forward for the classes and tournaments. He is very focused in chess now and progressed well since the start. Apart from chess he likes to play Tennis, Swimming,Video games and Biking with his friends. We are very happy with coach Sahil’s teaching methods and the way he encourages kids to challenge themselves.”
Coach feedback on Mahith:
“Mahith a very passionate, focused and an intelligent kid. He is ay respectful. He has shown tremendous improvement in his rating in the last few months. He participates regularly in the practice slso fun loving and veressions and weekly tournaments and has strong zeal to learn from his past mistakes. He learns everything with dedication and he can grasp things very quickly and easily. His progress has been very fast with consistency. He is doing great and I hope will do great in the future. Being a coach I’m very happy to have Mahith as my student and my best wishes will always follow his path”.”
Few games of Mahith:
https://lichess.org/kswEyzwk/white#43
https://lichess.org/pUreKkgu/white#56
https://lichess.org/PzwDsEx8/white#28
9. Chaarvini Garikapati
“We’re overjoyed to announce that Chaarvini, a talented young girl from Middletown, DE, has been honored as Star of the Month for her exceptional performance in chess. Chaarvini’s strategic thinking, calm under pressure, and love for the game have truly set her apart. Her dedication to mastering chess is matched only by her vibrant personality and diverse talents. Beyond the chessboard, Chaarvini shines in many arenas: A skilled swimmer with grace and determination Proficient in the Clariot, a unique musical instrument that showcases her artistic flair A passionate dancer who has actively participated in numerous Indian cultural events over the past year, bringing joy and tradition to every performance Her ability to balance academics, arts, sports, and chess is nothing short of inspiring. Chaarvini embodies the spirit of a true all-rounder—disciplined, creative, and full of heart.”
Coach feedback on Chaarvini :
“Chaarvini is a very enthusiastic kid. She loves to learn chess. I can see her improvement with her strong mindset. She follows the instructions and tries to implement them in games. I wish her a very bright future ahead!”
Few games of Chaarvini :
https://lichess.org/cUls52a6/black
https://lichess.org/pYTZJyBR/black
10. Mithun Senthilkumar
“Mithun Senthilkumar is 11 years old and has been playing chess for about five years. He learned the game from his dad and elder brother, who used to be his greatest rival, though he has now surpassed his brother. Beyond chess, he enjoys playing soccer with his friends at school, and more recently he has developed an interest in solving Rubik’s cubes. He can solve a wide range of puzzles, including the 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, 5×5, 6×6, 7×7, Mirror cube, Megaminx, and Windmill cube. Mithun has also travelled to many places; on one trip, he even had the chance to hold an alligator. Premier Chess Academy and his coach have been consistently supportive and motivating, helping him grow and improve his chess skills.”
Coach feedback on Mithun:
“I’m really happy to share that Mithun is our Star Kid of the Month for December 2025. He has been quietly putting in the work, showing up consistently, and thinking deeply about the game and it is starting to show in the way he plays. What stands out most is not just his progress on the board, but the calm and focused way he approaches every challenge. If you follow his games, you will see a young player who is starting to build a solid style of his own. It has been great to watch his confidence grow each week. He is thoughtful, humble, and never afraid to ask questions — all signs of someone who truly wants to learn. Well deserved, Mithun — keep going strong. We are all cheering you on!”
Few games of Mithun:
https://lichess.org/I0m9PoVa/black
https://lichess.org/09vXs3I6/black
11. RAYANSH DASH
“Rayansh is a 4th grader from New Jersey USA. Rayansh is a highly disciplined and impressive individual known for his very calm and focused demeanor- a quality that benefits him in every endeavor. He is a remarkably composed and accomplished young student who started his chess journey 2 years ago. His rapid development is partly due to the specific training he receives, having learned key tactics from his coach, Mr Suvradeepta Das. His dedication is evident through his keen focus during play and his strong interest and involvement in his chess classes, where he continuously sharpens his strategic skills. Beyond the chessboard, Rayansh demonstrates remarkable discipline and achievement in other areas. He has successfully earned his black belt, showcasing his commitment to martial arts. In the pool, he is a proficient Level 3 swimmer, mastering various strokes and techniques. Complementing his physical and intellectual pursuits, Rayansh also harbors a strong interest in robotics, He excels in the classroom and is recognized for being good in academics, he approaches his studies with enthusiasm, dedication, and a genuine love for learning. Rayansh’s drive, resilience, and wide range of skills make him a remarkable and promising young achiever.”
Coach feedback on RAYANSH:
“Rayansh is a great boy, and persistence towards his goals, he never backs down against tough players and always likes to fight till the end, this persistence is helping him to learn new skills and day by day he is improving his playing style. He is very talented, a quick learner and very good at chess puzzles and always surprises me with some innovative moves. He grasps the topic quickly and always tries to implement those learning in chess matches, with this consistency he definitely has a bright future in chess. Best wishes for him. Keep it up my CHAMP!”
Few games of RAYANSH :
https://www.chess.com/game/live/146725922476?username=rayansh18
https://www.chess.com/game/live/146725564030?username=rayansh18
https://lichess.org/SpiKlLpB/black
12. Dhyana Marvaniya
“Dhyana is 10 years old, calm and creative. She likes reading, solving puzzles and swimming. She started learning Chess when she was around 7 years and she has improved a lot from there under the guidance of coach Prakrati. We are really appreciative of the efforts from the coach in making sure the kids understand the game plan, moves and different strategies. Thanks to Premier Chess Academy for this great program and coach Prakrati for all the efforts. Wishing all the best.”.”
Coach feedback on Dhyana:
“Dhyana is an amazing student; she brings positivity in the class. She is enthusiastic and very smart in learning new concepts. She is often very excited to learn and implement in her games, she is very talented, a quick learner and very good at chess puzzles and always surprises me with some innovative moves. I wish her very good luck for her chess journey.”
Few games of Dhyana :
https://lichess.org/jRVx6VCk/black
Selection Criteria –December 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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