“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 2026) at Premier Chess Academy, North America (Canada & USA)!
1. Rayaansh Varshney
” Eight-year-old Rayaansh is a bright and enthusiastic learner whose absolute spark in life is chess. Born in 2018, his journey with the game has quickly transformed from a budding curiosity into a deep-rooted passion. Known for his sharp focus and determination, Rayaansh approaches every match with a strategic mindset, constantly honing his skills and testing new tactics on Chess.com. He loves diving into complex puzzles and eagerly absorbs new concepts to elevate his gameplay. Beyond the 64 squares, Rayaansh brings that same vibrant energy to his daily life, whether he’s exploring new ideas or being a great big brother to his five-year-old sibling. Chess has done more than just sharpen his analytical thinking; it has taught him the value of patience, resilience, and true sportsmanship. With his undeniable love for the game, Rayaansh is just at the beginning of an exciting journey and is determined to reach new heights.”
Coach feedback on Rayaansh:
” Rayaansh is a very passionate, focused, and intelligent kid. He has shown tremendous improvement in his rating over the last few months. He participates regularly in practice sessions and weekly tournaments, and he has a strong zeal for learning from his past mistakes. He approaches everything with dedication and is quick and eager to grasp new concepts. His progress has been consistent and fast. He is doing great, and I believe he will continue to do so in the future. As his coach, I am very happy to have him as my student, and my best wishes will always follow his path.”
Few games of Rayaansh:
https://www.chess.com/game/live/172497579334?username=rayaanshvarshney2018
https://www.chess.com/game/live/172497399230?username=rayaanshvarshney2018&move=0
https://www.chess.com/game/live/179911672073?username=rayaanshvarshney2018
2. Nathan Sabbineni
” Nathan Sabbineni (age 9) has been interested in chess since he was 5. We as parents taught him some basics, but he never really got any formal training. When we joined him in Premier Chess Academy under Mr. Karthik K couple of years ago, he felt really happy and we could see him get very excited. We have seen him grow a lot and we really appreciate all the guidance from the Academy and his coach Karthik Sir. Mr. Karthik is an inspiring chess teacher who makes every lesson enjoyable and insightful. For Nathan, chess isn’t just about the board — it helps him understand everything better.”
Coach feedback on Nathan:
” Nathan is really performing 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. He is very active and a Regular Student of PCA Chess Sessions, which is highly appreciable. I wish him very good luck for his Chess Career…!”
Few games of Nathan:
https://lichess.org/HF8nfONz/black
https://lichess.org/miIFr43X/black
https://lichess.org/hjmqFYCe/white
3. Vir Khishan Narine
” Vir is 11 years old and was born and lives in Guyana (South America). He first started playing chess at age 4 during the COVID pandemic. He started playing competitively at 6, winning the best under 8 categories. He has enjoyed competing and representing Guyana internationally. Vir has been training with PCA for over a year now; between the group and individual training sessions. Coach Prajwal has helped Vir improve his skills and boost his confidence to be a better player. Thank you for all you have done.”
Coach feedback on Vir:
” Vir is a brilliant student. He never misses any of his classes and is eager to learn new things and also whatever we learn in class he tries that in the games at home as well which has helped him improve a lot in the recent months. His critical thinking during the game also impressed me a lot. My best wishes with him moving forward.”
Few games of Vir:
https://lichess.org/YvEcW1hp/black
4. Avan Reddy Pitta
” Avan is a bright, curious, and enthusiastic young boy who enjoys playing chess, soccer, and reading, especially the Percy Jackson series. He has a strong interest in mathematics and loves challenging himself with new problems. His curiosity, dedication, and love for learning make him a wonderful young learner. We are very proud of his achievements and happy to see his hard work and interests being recognized.”
Coach feedback on Avan:
” Avan has earned recognition as one of our Star Kids for August 2025 for the steady progress he has made in chess. Over the month, he has become more confident at the board and is showing a better understanding of how to approach different positions. What stands out is his willingness to learn and apply what he picks up during his games. He is thinking more carefully about his moves, trying new ideas, and becoming more consistent in his approach. We’re happy to see Avan’s progress and look forward to seeing him continue building on this strong start.”
Few games of Avan:
https://lichess.org/gXysLUUt/black
https://lichess.org/siDlUrLF/white
https://lichess.org/3g5fDx0C/black
5. Ayushman Singh
” Ayushman is a kind-hearted, curious, 12-year-old who developed a passion for chess at the age of 6. Since then, his interest and connection with the game have continued to grow. He enthusiastically participates in chess tournaments and loves playing with anyone who shares his interest in the game. He is very observant, learns quickly, and often has a unique perspective on things. He is dedicated and committed, and when something interests him, he puts in effort to learn and improve. Besides chess, Ayushman enjoys playing tennis and video games.”
Coach feedback on Ayushman:
” Ayushman has had a very encouraging month of chess, showing good focus and a strong willingness to take on new challenges. He has been receptive to guidance during the sessions and has made a genuine effort to improve his decision-making and understanding of different positions. His confidence while playing has also been developing nicely. What stands out most is his consistent effort and eagerness to learn. He has shown a positive attitude towards both winning and learning from mistakes, which is an important quality for long-term improvement. His performance this month makes him a deserving Star Kid of August 2026. Keep up the great work, Ayushman, and continue pushing yourself! .”
Few games of Ayushman:
https://lichess.org/iojdKJFR/black
6. Shreyas S Sugur
” Shreyas is a smart, hardworking, and well-disciplined 5th-grade student who loves to learn. Math is his favorite subject because he enjoys solving problems and thinking logically. He always puts effort into his schoolwork and shows a great attitude toward learning new things. Outside of class, Shreyas stays active and loves having fun. He enjoys playing chess, cricket, and football, which keep him sharp and energetic. He also loves visiting new places and exploring the world around him with curiosity.”
Coach feedback on Shreyas:
” Shreyas is doing really well in chess, and I’m very happy with the progress he has been making. He is willing to learn, listens carefully, and takes feedback positively. One of the things I really appreciate about him is his attitude toward learning—he is always open to improving and trying new ideas. Shreyas is also always excited and ready to participate in tournaments, which is a great quality for his chess development. Playing tournaments will help him gain more confidence, experience, and practical understanding of the game. As his coach, I’m very happy with his overall progress and especially with his positive mindset and eagerness to learn. If he continues with the same dedication and enthusiasm, I’m confident he will keep improving and achieve even better results in the future. Keep up the great work, Shreyas!”
Few games of Shreyas:
https://lichess.org/JH9PqyMm/black#0
https://lichess.org/Gj12MrNo/black
https://lichess.org/Ul9yGda3/black
7. Siva Manasvi Pamidi
” Siva Manasvi Pamidi is a bright and enthusiastic 9-year-old with a strong passion for learning and exploring new activities. She has developed a keen interest in chess and enjoys the game for its strategic thinking and challenges. Along with chess, she actively participates in classical dance and focuses on her academics with great dedication. She is a kind-hearted and caring individual who always shows empathy and positivity towards others. Her curiosity, discipline, and eagerness to learn make her stand out, and she continues to grow with confidence in everything she pursues. We are proud of her efforts and thankful to her coach Mr. Rakesh and mentors for their continuous guidance and support.”
Coach feedback on Siva:
” Siva Manasvi Pamidi is a young talented, disciplined, hardworking and enthusiastic kid who pursues to keep on improving herself. She too has a great learning ability, enabling her to perceive new concepts and ideas very quickly. She always actively gets involved in the class activities with full focus. Personally, I feel that her greatest ability is her focus and enthusiasm toward learning new things while pursuing to understand the subject matter as clearly as possible by clearing her doubts and continuing improving herself. Siva Manasvi’s parents are also very positive toward chess and keep on supporting her to learn and practice chess. I am very happy with the way she is improving. I too wish her a very bright future toward her upcoming chess journey and in real life.”
Few games of Siva:
https://lichess.org/1g44ymf1/black
https://lichess.org/x2x4APPh/black
8. Arjun Vinodhkumar
” Arjun is a sixth-grade student with a strong passion for mathematics, soccer, the tenor saxophone, violin, building Lego sets, and has a special spot for chess. He is deeply fascinated by the strategy, creativity, and problem-solving that chess requires. His ultimate dream is to become a World Chess Champion, and he is committed to working hard, continuously improving his skills, and learning from every game along the way.”
Coach feedback on Arjun:
” Arjun is a passionate and dedicated chess player who approaches every game with curiosity, creativity, and determination. His love for chess and strong desire to improve are truly inspiring. Keep working hard, Arjun, and keep chasing your dream of becoming a World Chess Champion!”
Few games of Arjun:
https://lichess.org/2sdJe7sH/black
9. Shreyansh Sagar
” My son, Shreyansh Sagar, is 8 years old. We enrolled him in Harjee Sir’s chess classes to help him learn and develop his chess skills. Over time, we have seen significant improvement in his game. He has become much more confident with opening principles and middle-game strategies, and we have noticed a considerable increase in his winning rate in recent tournaments. Recently, he has also developed a strong interest in participating in offline, US Chess-rated tournaments. Academically, Shreyansh qualified for the Gifted and Talented (GT) Program in second grade. Outside of chess, he enjoys swimming and actively participates in Taekwondo, where he has currently achieved the Advanced Blue Belt.”
Coach feedback on Shreyansh:
” Shreyansh demonstrates a strong commitment to learning chess, exhibiting both enthusiasm and remarkable problem-solving skills. His outstanding performance in Puzzle Racer on Lichess, where he has attained notable scores, underscores his concentration and resolve. I take pride in observing his significant advancement and eagerly anticipate his continued success and the attainment of new milestones in his chess endeavors.”
Few games of Shreyansh:
https://www.chess.com/game/live/181210101621?username=shreeyanshsagar0708&move=0
https://www.chess.com/game/live/181208901551?username=shreeyanshsagar0708
https://www.chess.com/game/live/181127303163?username=shreeyanshsagar0708
Selection Criteria – August 2026:
- 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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