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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 2024) at Premier Chess Academy, North America (Canada & USA)!

1. Anaya singh

 “Anaya Singh is a 7-year-old 2nd grader who was introduced to chess more than a year ago. She was initially very shy to speak up in class but with persistent and Mr. Raunak’s patience she became very confident and started enjoying playing chess. I have seen her from being disinterested in class to being super excited about playing and defeating her opponents. Thanks a lot to Raunak and his unique teaching style that had made such a difference.  Besides chess she loves to draw, do gymnastics, play soccer, and recently squash with her mom.”

Coach feedback on Anaya:

“Anaya is a hard-working kid. She Is very consistent. She loves to play chess, and she likes to solve puzzles. She is very punctual and never misses the classes. She improved a lot and her favorite puzzles to solve are checkmate puzzles. She solves the puzzles quicker than the other kids but, in the games, she likes to take her time. I wish her a wonderful and healthy life, God bless her.”

Few games of Anaya:

https://lichess.org/EzokMxAw/black

https://lichess.org/IVvqvG3d/black

https://lichess.org/n4sqtOSU/black

2. Asher John

“Asher, a 9-year-old fourth-grader, lives in Orlando, Florida. Thanks to Premier chess academy, he has developed a newfound passion for chess. He likes to practice and play whenever he gets a chance. Asher also loves to play racquet sports, especially tennis. We are fortunate to have Sriram as his coach; his coaching and encouragement with patience have significantly contributed to Asher’s growth and development in the game”


Coach feedback on Asher:

“Asher is a very enthusiastic Kid and always keen to learn new things. He loves to play matches and always tries to do something new on the chess board. He is good at puzzles as well and grasps topics quickly. He always tries to use tactics that are taught in the class. I am very happy with his progress. Best Wishes for him. Keep it up Asher!”

Few games of Asher:

https://lichess.org/lxJXtCHM/black

https://lichess.org/bq0owxrK/black#0

https://lichess.org/j8jYg5Wc/black#0

3.Mila Nishant

“Mila is an 8-year-old third grader living in Austin, TX. She started learning and playing chess about a year ago. She enjoys playing chess on Lichess as well as with her parents. Aside from chess Mila enjoys reading and writing. We’re very glad Mila is learning chess through PCA as she has been introduced to the game as well as picking various strategies.”

Coach feedback on Mila:

“Mila is an enthusiastic, interactive and active kid. She is very logical in puzzle solving sessions and always calm & tries her best. I was really impressed with the kid ‘s performance. Really happy to have a student Like Mila wishing the kid all the best.”

Few games of Mila:

https://lichess.org/DhhNrRZK

https://lichess.org/9Xoae4aZ/black

https://lichess.org/uRKrN7j1/black#1

4.Lukshay Raj

“Lukshay Raj is a 12-year-old 7th grader with a passion for chess that started when he was just 7. In his free time, he enjoys playing badminton, violin, and solving Rubik’s cubes. He’s also a bit of a gamer and always has plenty of energy. Lukshay loves competing in chess tournaments and has won many medals. He has made great progress since joining PCA, where his coach Rakesh Gurung has taught him valuable strategies and helped him improve his game. Thanks to PCA and Coach Rakesh, Lukshay has reached a new level of skill and we’re excited to see him continue to grow as a player.”

Coach feedback on Lukshay:

“Lukshay is a young talented, hardworking and very enthusiastic kid who pursues to continuously keep on improving himself. He too has a very excellent 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. Lukshay’s parents are also very supportive toward his chess journey. I am very much happy about his improvement.  I too wish him more success in chess and in real life.”

Few games of Lukshay:

https://www.chess.com/game/live/117066607311?username=luckypro1 

https://www.chess.com/game/live/117064228185?username=luckypro1 

https://www.chess.com/game/live/116371260881?username=luckypro1 

5. Avyaan Verma

“Avyaan is an 8-year-old boy from Toronto, Canada. He is going to grade 3 starting next month. He is very active in all kinds of sports. He loves to play outdoor sports such as soccer/ cricket and Tennis. He also learns Martial arts and has been learning to play keyboard since he was 5-year-old. He is very enthusiastic in learning new skills and always tries to put his best foot forward. According to his teachers, he is a very compassionate kid and makes friends quickly. He is a great team player as well. Since he started this chess club, he has gone crazy playing and practicing chess – He absolutely loves the classes and has improved a lot because of the chess lessons. We look forward to continuing this journey.”

Coach feedback on Avyaan:

“Avyaan is a strong solid chess player. He is excellent at solving puzzles and spotting opponents’ weaknesses. He is very regular in the practice sessions and is consistently securing top positions. In his very first major tournament, he was able to secure a top 10 finish out of 300+ competitors. I am very happy to see his progress and wish him all the best for his upcoming events.”

Few games of Avyaan:

https://lichess.org/8rY7U0lN/black

https://lichess.org/KmJxGYqn#0

6. Sarvesh Thiru

“Sarvesh is a 10-year-old, bright and talented boy with a passion for both academics and sports. He loves to play chess which showcases his strategic thinking and sharp mind. His chess coach Mr. Keshav from PCA helps him to enhance his chess skills. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys staying active by playing basketball and soccer.”

Coach feedback on Sarvesh:

“Sarvesh is doing very well in our chess academy; He plays all types of games. Sarvesh is doing very well in chess and learning with good speech.  He always likes to play rapid format games. Sarvesh attended almost all classes in the usual case, and it shows his huge interest in the game.  He is very good at tactical problems in the game. I wish Sarvesh all the best for all his chess success. Keep it up.”

Few games of Sarvesh:

https://lichess.org/dAaW4fAt

https://lichess.org/dikjwSRf/black

https://lichess.org/7ZU1NqlE

7. Arya parakh

“Arya is a 5th grader from Chicago with a love for creativity, whether it’s through art, reading, or exploring new places. She discovered her passion for chess while playing with her dad and has since developed a keen interest in the game. Arya is constantly sharpening her skills, especially with a little friendly sibling rivalry—she and her younger brother, Arin, love competing to see who can outsmart the other on the chessboard! We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Arya’s coach, Sahil, at Premier Chess Academy for nurturing her appreciation for chess and helping her improve with each lesson.”

Coach feedback on Arya:

“Arya is a bright and dedicated student. She is very focused and eager to learn, showing great improvement in her gameplay over the past few months. Arya attends sessions and tournaments regularly and always puts in her best effort. She has a natural ability to understand and apply new concepts quickly. Arya and her brother are in the same session, which sometimes leads to a bit of sibling rivalry—they don’t always enjoy playing against each other! But it’s clear they both share a strong passion for the game. I’m proud to be Arya’s coach and look forward to seeing her continue to excel.”

Few games of Arya:

https://lichess.org/M49WxM7w/black#46

https://lichess.org/XJqAfGc0/black#104

https://lichess.org/LZs95cjz/white#51

8. Aakriti Singh

“Aakriti Singh, a Grade Six student, has a broad range of interests and accomplishments. She has recently embarked on her chess journey at Premier Chess Academy, where her strategic acumen and commitment have quickly become evident. Her love for reading complements her chess interests, as she often integrates her passion for books with her developing chess skills. She appreciates the support and motivation from her chess coaches, especially Ms. Harshita, who has played a significant role in her progress. In addition to her chess pursuits, Aakriti’s analytical skills are highlighted by her achievements as a state-level Science and Math Olympian, reflecting her passion for learning and problem-solving. She is also an enthusiastic swimmer and a gifted painter with several awards for her artwork. Her fondness for beaches provides her with relaxation and inspiration, adding a personal dimension to her profile. Looking ahead, she aspires to become an epidemiologist, aiming to make a positive impact in the field and help those in need.”

Coach feedback on Aakriti:

“Aakriti is so good at chess. What impresses me the most is her ability to stay calm under pressure and think several moves ahead. Her strategic thinking and ability to anticipate opponent’s moves are developing well, and it’s exciting to see her grow stronger with each game. Keep up the great work, stay curious, and continue to challenge yourself. With your passion and dedication, I have no doubt that you’ll achieve great things in chess. I really want to see her progress in the upcoming chess tournaments, and I wish her all the very best for her future…!!”

Few games of Aakriti:

https://lichess.org/ha0RpZyi 

https://lichess.org/T3qR0pUH/black 

https://lichess.org/PD8Yev58 

9. SUDHISHNA

“Sudhishna is an exceptional 7th-grade student at Crestview Middle School who is passionate about both academics and extracurricular activities. Enrolled in all challenge classes, she thrives on competition, always aiming to outperform herself. Her love for learning drives her to set ambitious goals and work tirelessly to achieve them. Academically, she excels not only in her subjects but also in a variety of extracurricular pursuits. She has a deep love for drawing and enjoys expressing her creativity through art. Sudhishna is also a talented musician, playing the violin with dedication and skill, and she’s committed to mastering Spanish, adding to her diverse set of interests. In addition to her artistic and linguistic talents, she has recently developed a strong passion for chess. What started as a simple interest has grown into a deep commitment, and she now plays whenever she finds time, challenging herself to improve and excel in the game. Her enthusiasm extends to the outdoors, where she enjoys activities like biking and hiking, embracing the challenges that nature offers. Athletically, she is involved in swimming and tennis, and she is excited to join the volleyball team, further expanding her sports repertoire. Sudhishna’s well-rounded personality is matched by her social nature; she is known for being a good kid and a very social person, easily connecting with others and making friends. Whether in academics, sports, or social settings, Sudhishna shines as a dynamic, driven, and well-rounded individual who consistently strives to be her best”.

Coach feedback on  SUDHISHNA :

‘From the beginning, it was clear that she had a passion for the game. Her initial curiosity and enthusiasm have now transformed into a deep understanding of chess strategies and tactics. She has shown remarkable improvement in several key areas like – following opening fundamentals, and ability to assess the position, spotting the tactics, Composure & Patience. Her progress is a testament to her 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 she will go with chess, and I’m here to support her every step of the way. Keep pushing your limits, and most importantly, keep enjoying the game!”

Few games of Sudhishna:

https://lichess.org/OuXEw3co/black

https://lichess.org/jS05JDEL

https://lichess.org/X6uML0rB/black

Selection Criteria –August 2024: 

  • 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.