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

chess1. Aadav Srinivasan

Meet Aadav Srinivasan, a bright and curious first grader who has a diverse range of interests. Aadav loves playing chess and is passionate about reading books. Additionally, Aadav enjoys solving word puzzles and his favorite challenge is the New York Times Spelling Bee, which helps him hone his vocabulary and problem-solving abilities. Aadav is an adventurous person who loves to travel, swim, and create memories with his family. He is also learning to play the piano and enjoys building intricate Lego structures and science projects designed for kids.

Coach feedback on Aadav:

Aadav Srinivasan is an incredibly dynamic youngster, brimming with enthusiasm for acquiring knowledge. He possesses a remarkable ability to grasp new concepts swiftly, and his approach to problem-solving is commendable. Aadav displays unwavering focus during learning sessions and diligently applies novel techniques in his endeavors. Not only is he a skilled football player, but his potential in chess is also promising. As his coach, I aspire to witness Aadav soar to great heights of success, both in the game of chess and in life. May he be blessed abundantly on his journey.

Few games of Aadav :

https://lichess.org/N3Q7UwsH/black

https://lichess.org/LaIZq4ot/white

https://lichess.org/RCsvmAkO/white

2. Abdullahi

Abdullahi, a 6-year-old from Media, PA, found his love for chess by watching his older brother Umar play the game. Over the past six months, Abdullahi has shown remarkable progress in chess, thanks to the guidance of his coach, Mr. Girish. Beyond chess, Abdullahi enjoys a variety of interests, including soccer, swimming, and video games, showcasing his diverse talents and passions. His parents credit the positive influence of the PCA and Mr. Girish for Abdullahi’s growth and development.

Coach feedback on Abdullahi:

Abdullahi is a highly enthusiastic kid who adores playing chess. Even at his young age, he’s excellent at making strategic moves and can easily solve challenging problems. He enjoys sharing his chess knowledge in class and continues to learn from every game he plays, which helps him improve his skills faster. Wishing him all the best in his future endeavors!

Few games of Abdullahi:

https://lichess.org/vKEyfxc5/black

https://lichess.org/zGkAGabC/black

https://lichess.org/L9IejZAB

3. Nicolos Nagib

Nicolos is a very curious, hardworking and responsible student. He constantly strives to better himself. At his school He was just awarded with a diploma of honor roll student for Fall 2023. Nicolos especially loves math and science. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer. 

Nicolos started showing interest in chess when he self-taught some moves and was playing with his older brother and father. He has been a student at Premiere chess Academy since August 2023 and has made significant improvements in his knowledge of chess. Thanks to his coach, Mr. Abhi, Nicolos is very motivated, eager to improve his chess skills and always looks forward to his next chess class. 

We are so happy that we enrolled him at Premier Chess Academy.

Coach feedback on Nicolos:

Nicolos is a very curious about learning new things. He is focused, attentive, and has a great interest in chess. He plays games with patience and has good intuition in chess. He is very punctual in class and joins every class on time. He used to participate in practice sessions with great effort & always has a learning attitude while playing games I feel lucky to have Nicolos as my student and wish him an extremely successful life. 

Few games of Nicolos:

https://lichess.org/tVkDPcyN/black

https://lichess.org/N81tGfj1

https://lichess.org/NepQpcJs/black

4. Adhyan Banuri

Adhyan is a 10-year-old Californian fifth grader, is passionate about chess, mathematics, and video games. He embarked on his Chess journey at the age of 7 and has relished the challenges it presents ever since. Coach Ritish has been instrumental in Adhyan’s chess journey, offering invaluable guidance and fostering his growth. Adhyan expresses deep gratitude to Coach Ritish for the consistent support and direction provided throughout his development in the game.

Coach feedback on Adhyan:

 Adhyan is doing lots of hard work in chess right now and if continues like this he will be a very strong chess player. He always looks forward to attending the Chess class on time, he always tries his best to solve puzzles quickly. He enjoys playing Chess & always looks forward to learning something new. I wish him very good luck in his Chess Career. 

Few games of Adhyan:

https://lichess.org/6zYo0BLl/black

https://lichess.org/XFurID4s/black 

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

5. Ahaan 

Ahaan is a 10-year-old student in 4th grade and lives in St. Louis, Missouri. He started learning chess almost a year ago. In the beginning he started chess just for fun, but after a few classes his interest increased. We thank his coach Danish for all the help and encouragement he gives. Along with chess Ahaan is also interested in Taekwondo,Legos and plays violin. We look forward to seeing him achieve more in chess along with his other interests. Once again thanks to his coach Danish and PCA.

Coach feedback on Ahaan:

Ahan loves chess a lot. At first, he found it hard, but he didn’t give up. He practiced a lot and got better. Ahan is a kind and fun kid who likes to solve puzzles and play chess games. Now, he wants to earn 500 USCF points in chess so he can get promoted to the intermediate batch.

Few games of Ahaan:

https://lichess.org/mNCoj0TW/black

https://lichess.org/vNXn1U3k

https://lichess.org/4ZdXEGYT

chess6. Akash Roi

Akash is 12 years old,7th grader. His interest in the game was motivated by watching chess played by her sister. He loves playing chess. Akash participated in inter-school chess competitions and won 2nd place, that made him more challenging. Apart from chess, he plays soccer, piano and interested in reading books. His performance in academics is awesome as well. We thank coach Karan for his constant motivation and encouragement for his learning.

Coach feedback on Akash:

Akash is playing chess at a higher level than he is. Day by day, he is winning practise sessions. He is also extremely attentive and is always the first to respond in class. His love for the game, as well as his grasp of it, is making him a better player every day. I wish him very good luck for him Chess Career…!!

Few games of Akash:

https://lichess.org/OLfvmYSS

https://lichess.org/0vKYPAM2

https://lichess.org/vDGkJ6YY/black

7.Akilan Turiansky

Akil is an 8-year-old in Berkeley, California. He likes playing basketball, climbing trees, and riding bicycles. He learned to play chess from his father when he was about 4.5 years old during the pandemic. Chess was a natural extension of Akil’s love for battle games in which he would line up animal and dinosaur toys and have them face off with their superpowers. Akil rediscovered chess two years later when he broke his arm and spent three weeks at chess camp. Akil has since enjoyed playing in tournaments and has done well to amass a small collection of trophies. He is not intimidated by older players. He is a rapid, intuition-driven player and is working on calculating his moves in slower formats. Akil has thrived in the PCA class environment of his coach, Suvradeepta Das, and we look forward to seeing him grow in chess.

Coach feedback on Akil:

Akilan is a brilliant kid who loves playing chess and always trying to get better at it. He is a very sweet boy who listens to his coach and follow the ideas that we discuss in class. He loves playing in the practice tournaments, he is regular and doing good there. His classroom performance is really good as he puts his maximum effort in solving puzzles and discussing various ideas. Going forward If his dedication will be same, he is definitely going to achieve something in field of chess. I’m wishing Akilan, ALL THE BEST for his future.

Few games of Akil:

https://lichess.org/SKWUZOro

https://lichess.org/EwfPK7S7

8. Ruhaan Kapoor

Ruhaan is 12 and studying in 6th grade. He is extremely passionate about anything analytical-he loves to play sudoku, Rubik’s cube and building Legos. He started learning the basics about chess from his dad and very quickly found his new passion. We learnt about PCA from a friend, and he has enjoyed learning Chess ever since. He is very thankful to his coach Aniket who has been extremely kind, has been guiding him and teaching him new strategies and techniques.

Coach feedback on Ruhaan:

 Ruhaan stands out as an exceptionally passionate and enthusiastic young individual, consistently demonstrating an eagerness to learn and embrace new tactics and strategies. His proactive approach and readiness to face challenges are commendable, showcasing his ability to quickly grasp and apply new concepts. His adherence to instructions and effective implementation of these in the game is a testament to his learning capability. I have no doubt that Ruhaan’s  future is bright and filled with remarkable achievements. 

Few games of Ruhaan:

https://lichess.org/XawebWjm

https://lichess.org/b40JC4e9

https://lichess.org/DKEFBMpU

9. Aryan Nair

“Aryan is 8 years old and is currently a second grader in San Jose, CA.  Ever since his mother taught him how to play, he has always had a fascination with the game of chess.  Since joining chess class and learning from his talented classmates, his skills have become further refined to the point where he routinely beats his family and friends in chess matches. Aryan believes that playing chess has allowed him to become better at problem solving and developing strategies in other facets of life. In addition to chess, Aryan enjoys playing sports such as basketball and volleyball as well as guitar.” 

Coach feedback on Aryan:

Aryan is extremely talented and is very good at solving chess puzzles. He is a very regular kid, never misses classes or practice sessions. His performance in this month is very good, he has shown very good improvement in his performance. He has increased his lichess rating and is showing constant improvement in learning which really makes him a worthy star of this month. Hope he continues to perform well and achieve his dreams in the long run.  Wishing him a successful life.”

Few games of Aryan:

https://lichess.org/euPkYi5v/black

https://lichess.org/I5G66mLw

https://lichess.org/ClFe1q4O

10. ARAV PANT 

Meet Arav Pant, a passionate 13-year-old who excels at academics and chess thanks to his jovial yet focused nature. He enjoys watching football, especially rooting for Real Madrid, during his well-organized free time between school and having fun with his younger sister, whom he cares for deeply. With great respect for his parents and elders, he makes sure to thank them, as well as his chess academy PCA and coach Mr. Ramendra Ranjan, for their guidance and support in nurturing his interests.

Coach feedback on ARAV:

Arav 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 ARAV:

https://lichess.org/sKAqtbn3

https://lichess.org/CF82oCUM

https://lichess.org/4wqDlya7

11. Aryan Sharma

I am 12 years old, currently in 6th grade, and living in Michigan. My journey with chess began when I was 8 or 9, driven by the goal to outsmart my dad. However, when I learned more, playing chess became my true passion. Regardless of the outcome, I find joy and valuable lessons in every match. My ultimate goal is to become a grandmaster someday. The Premier Chess Academy has played a significant role in improving my skills and deepening my understanding of the game. I’m grateful for the guidance and support provided by Coach Abhishek and Coach Aryan, who have been incredibly encouraging and knowledgeable. Beyond the chessboard, I engage in various sports such as rock climbing, swimming, and basketball. My free time involves playing with my little brother, spending time with my dog, hanging out with friends, and enjoying video games. Math and science are my favorite subjects, as they equip me with problem-solving skills to tackle global challenges. – Aryan

Coach feedback on Aryan:

Aryan is very curious about learning new things. He is focused, attentive and has a great interest in chess. He plays game with patience and has good intuition in chess. He follows the instructions and tries to implement them in games. His growing skills in chess will surely help him to be a good chess player. I wish him a very bright future ahead

Few games of Aryan:

https://lichess.org/TuTqay7Z/black

https://lichess.org/lUppoL7c/black

https://lichess.org/QJpw2Ajr/black#60

12.Sai Sarvesh Sundar

Sai Sarvesh Sundar is 7 years old from Peoria, Arizona and studying in 2nd grade. He is always energetic and eager to learn new things. He loves to play chess and joined Premier Chess Academy a month ago as a beginner to gain more knowledge and learn new chess moves. Thank you, Mr. Bhaskar, for all the support. Your puzzles and new chess techniques drive him to play chess with active interest. Besides chess, He is a speedcuber and swimmer. He likes to spend his spare time playing basketball. His favorite fun time activity is to move around with roller and ice skates.

Coach feedback on Sai Sarvesh:

Sharvesh is a nice and sober kid. He is always energetic for new topics, puzzle competitions, whatever it is he is always ready to take on challenges. He is good at interaction and also very intelligent. He always completes his assigned tasks and keeps up practicing in his free hours. He always deals with all his mistakes with a sweet smile. Being a coach I’m really very happy to have him and my best wishes will always follow his path.
Good Luck Sharvesh!!

Few games of Sai Sarvesh:

 https://lichess.org/MHbeMwjt/black

 https://lichess.org/Q8DwZniX

 https://lichess.org/mmz5Abe7/black

13.Karthik Chandan Majjari

Karthik Chandan Majjari is 8 years old, and he is in 2nd grade. He lives in Seattle, Washington. “My son’s favorite game is chess, and he is very interested in it. He participates in chess events and loves the game.” We heard about PCA from friends. We are thankful to coach Afinu for helping Karthik, making the class interesting and teaching new strategies in class.

Coach feedback on Karthik:

Karthik is a strong solid chess player. Despite being the youngest in the class, he outperforms the others. He is excellent at solving puzzles and spotting opponents’ weaknesses. He is very regular in the practice sessions. I am very happy to see his progress and wish him all the best for his upcoming events.

Few games of Karthik:

https://lichess.org/sxVnhcNc/black

https://lichess.org/5lz4Z3Oz

https://lichess.org/kefj0syY/black

14. Ashwath Sudhakar 

Ashwath is 8 years old and is in 3rd grade. His interests, apart from chess, are reading fictional books, solving puzzles, playing Minecraft, and other video games. His chess coach, Devansh, has a great way of teaching and pushes Ashwath to improve on his existing skills. Ashwath loves learning new chess moves and plays with his family on the weekends.

Coach feedback on Ashwath:

Ashwath is a very smart kid; he is very dedicated towards chess, and he likes to play the games on lichess. He improved a lot from before and he is very attentive in class, and he works really hard to reach his next goal which is advance level. He is really good at solving checkmate puzzles and tactics in the class. I wish him all the best for his career and hope he will do great in all fields he loves.

Few games of Ashwath:

https://lichess.org/bex8JV8g/black

https://lichess.org/xitn3B0t/black

https://lichess.org/m8CVAAD1/black

15. Jathunya Mayurathas 

Jathunya Mayurathas – Is in grade 7 and is 12 years old. She has always had a strong interest in art and chess. Jathunya first started playing chess because she loves strategic thinking. We have noticed that some of her learning skills have improved because of chess. Jathunya has a really curious mind and she has become very fond of finding new ways to approach a game. She’s always finding more and more ways to solve problems. Her coach and teacher Sibin Paul always motivate her to play her best in each game. She has been getting so much support to help her become an even better chess player.

Coach feedback on Jathunya :

Jathunya has displayed tremendous progress in the last few weeks. She takes a lot of effort to play games and do puzzles regularly in her free time at home. She is an amazing student in chess class and I’m so happy to be a part of her chess journey. 

Few games of Jathunya:

https://lichess.org/oEIiEzBC/black

https://lichess.org/nfd1WuZR/black

https://lichess.org/u4Fg3mqW

16. Nirali Mohapatra

Nirali Mohapatra is 9-year-Old in 4th Grade and lives in Chicago, IL started her chess learning with PCA one year ago as a novice and Coach Anirudhan has contributed significantly for her growth and interest in chess. She plays piano, performs jazz, ballet and hiphop. Other than Chess she has keen interest in writing books and stories. She also enjoys rock climbing as one of her favorite activities.

Coach feedback on Nirali:

Nirali is a passionate and talented chess player who loves to play chess in class. Her performance in classes, speed of solving puzzles and approach towards handling the problems are remarkable.I feel privileged to have Neerali as my student. My best wishes are with her for success in her near future.

Few games of Nirali:

https://lichess.org/vQKRMjCQ

https://lichess.org/ydMefcIC/black

https://lichess.org/XlDPINpr/black

17.Darshika Arun

Darshika is 12-year-old studying 7th grade and she lives in Mississauga, Canada. Her hobbies are playing chess, swimming and music. She developed a keen interest in chess at a young age and regularly plays with her parents at home. Darshika has improved significantly after joining the PCA. Credit goes to her coach Mr. Prabhat for providing guidance and motivation.

Coach feedback on Darshika:

Darshika is excelling in her chess classes. She’s exceptionally hardworking, dedicated to practice, and demonstrates remarkable intelligence. Through her commitment, she has developed a solid understanding of chess concepts. I’m proud to have her as a student.I have no doubt that with her continued hard work and focus, she will achieve great success in her future endeavors both on and off the chessboard. All the best to her for a bright and successful future ahead!

Few games of Darshika:

https://lichess.org/YIMttQHo/black

https://lichess.org/3zNb1vzn/black

https://lichess.org/4CyNPIhM

18. Dhanesh Manukonda

Dhanesh Manukonda is a joyful 8-year-old with a lot of unearthed potential. He showed interest in chess a year ago. Under his patient instructor Mr. Vaibhav Sharma, he is learning a lot. We could see him gradually improve his game and most of all deal with loss by learning from his mistakes.

Coach feedback on Dhanesh:

Dhanesh is a disciplined and focused kid in class, he looks the same when he wins and loses, this is a sign of a good chess player. He always tries to learn from mistakes and try to not repeat them. He gives his 100% in class. I hope he will do very well in the coming days. I am very happy with his progress. Congratulation Dhanesh for being star kid of the Month.

Few games of Dhanesh:

https://lichess.org/IYbmgpdS

https://lichess.org/9T9MTiZo

https://lichess.org/ChGjvd2w/black

19.Dhruvansh Korada

Dhruvansh is a 6-year-old fun-loving kid from Jersey City, NJ. He is studying in 1st grade. Apart from LEGO building, solving puzzles and playing sports, he likes to play around with his friends and spend time with them. He is always excited about learning and exploring new things and his ability to grasp anything quicker is one of the main reasons for him to get interested in chess and so, we enrolled him to PREMIER CHESS ACADEMY. In this learning process, he has rapidly increased the skills like thought process, patience and innovation and now, Chess has become one of his most favorite tasks to do and eagerly looks up for the tournaments. We love to see him playing the game with utmost passion and zeal. We would like to sincerely thank his coach Hemant Kumar Mandala for his quality training, dedication and patience towards my kid.

Coach feedback on Dhruvansh:

Dhruvansh is an enthusiastic, kind and active kid. He is very concentrated during sessions and always tries his best. I was really impressed with his performance. Really happy to have a student Like Dhruvansh wishing the kid all the best.

Few games of Dhruvansh:

https://lichess.org/rn6UKdnH

https://lichess.org/YvsdFMua/black

https://lichess.org/LFnsGOvv

20. Divaansh Maruboyina

Divaansh recently turned 7 years old and it’s exactly 2 months since he started his chess classes with PCA. He got interested in chess about 4 months ago, while playing with his maternal uncle and grandmom. Enrolling him in PCA is the best decision we made and in just 2 months he made a lot of progress. The classes are very organized, kid friendly and makes learning the strategies for kids so much fun. Divaansh loves learning and thoroughly enjoys Coach Ibin’s classes. We really commend coach Ibin’s teaching and patience with the kids. Divaansh is a fun-loving child and at the same time very kind, attentive and tries to help in any way he can. Along with Chess, he also loves Math, Music, solving puzzles, has varied interests ranging from Space to elements and enjoys reading, playing Piano, Tennis, Soccer, Taekwondo (High-Red belt), Skiing and Swimming. He is looking forward to learning more under PCA’s tutelage to get better at the game soon.

Coach feedback on Divaansh:

Divaansh Maruboyina’s remarkable progress in just two months at PCA! His passion for chess has blossomed. Divaansh’s love for learning shines, reflecting his kind and attentive nature. We’re excited to continue supporting Divaansh as he explores the world of chess with PCA. 

Few games of Divaansh:

https://lichess.org/DX6wqVv8/black#0

https://lichess.org/ISoSvSvR#0

https://lichess.org/ZNbzmMIk#0

21.  Eshwar Yakkala

Eshwar Is 13-Years old and is in 7th grade. He lives in Cary, NC. He started Premier Chess about 1 and a half year ago. He has Coach Harshraj, the coach gives him a lot of confidence, motivation and help. He is improving in chess by the way Harshraj sir teaches him. We thank Harshraj sir for helping him improve his skills. Apart from chess, he likes to Play video games, stay social and watch shows and movies. We are glad that he joined PCA.

Coach feedback on Eshwar:

” Eshwar is a very focused and enthusiastic boy who is very keen to solve every obstacle. Few days back Eshwar was struggling with the games he was playing in the practice sessions but he didn’t let this thing affect his spirit to learn and grow and now he is doing well in his games, showing a good understanding of the game and has come up with more confidence. With this attitude and continuous effort, he will for sure become a fine chess player. Good luck to him…!! “

Few games of Eshwar:

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

https://lichess.org/kLllKuYP#0

https://lichess.org/Q0vKuhiw/black#0

22. Jake John

Jake is a 9-year-old fun loving boy going to 3rd grade. He is passionate about chess and likes playing chess with his friends and cousins. Apart from chess his favourite sport is soccer. He started learning chess from Coach Swarnim around a year back and has improved a lot since then. Special thanks from Jake to coach Swarnim for supporting and motivating him.

Coach feedback on Jake:

Jake is a very sharp kid, a quick learner, and very obedient. He is always ready for new things. He is polite, kind, and caring in nature. He is so hardworking and always plays practice sessions all the time no matter what happens and that’s the reason he improved so much as a player, and I am sure that he will achieve more heights in the future.

Few games of Jake:

https://lichess.org/WbjC3fgp/black

https://lichess.org/jIeUgvxF/black

https://lichess.org/WbjC3fgp/black

23.Keyana Kumar

Keyana is a quick learner and excited to learn new things. She is fond of reading and chess equally and like to spend time in both. She will be 10 this year in June and getting ready for 5th grade. Guidance from Coach Harjee is helping her learn every class and get better. Looking forward to see her growing interest and skill in chess.

Coach feedback on Keyana:

It’s great to teach a student who is equally interested in chess as you are, Keyana is one of them and is most consistent student, she is always enthusiastic about chess, she completes all her work on time and is always curious to know more and more. It’s really great to have a student like keyana .

Few games of Keyana:

 https://lichess.org/cYwca6hT/black#44

https://lichess.org/pga6xJYc/black#48

 https://lichess.org/5b9bFANk/white#37

24. Mahadev Thanneeru

Mahadev Thanneeru is an 8-year-old 3rd grader who lives in Sugar Land Texas. He loves his siblings and family very much. Apart from chess he loves swimming and art a lot. He is fun loving and caring. He started learning chess in 3rd grade only. We are truly blessed to have Nihal as coach and joining in PCA. We are seeing a lot of improvements in his play, and he is learning new moves, getting good motivation all the time. Now he is spending most of the screen time playing chess.

Coach feedback on Mahadev:

Mahadev has consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of chess strategies and tactics. He diligently applies himself to mastering new concepts and skills, which is reflected in his progress. His eagerness to solve puzzles and tackle challenges demonstrates both critical thinking skills and a love for learning. He actively participates in discussions, asks insightful questions, and eagerly applies new concepts. I am confident that with his continued hard work and dedication, Mahadev will achieve great success in the world of chess.

Few games of Mahadev:

https://lichess.org/53DFVj9R

https://lichess.org/HywCxvXv/black#36

https://lichess.org/aUYTznfV#0

25. Mrityunjay Kathavarayan

Mrityunjay is 8 years old and studying 2nd grade. He is very curious, energetic, and has endless possibilities. While excelling in his academics, he is also very passionate about social studies, always curious and exploring maps and learning new things in geography. His inquisitive nature often leads him down paths of discovery, where he eagerly explores the world around him with wide-eyed wonder and a contagious enthusiasm. I am immensely proud to be his parent, and I am excited to see the remarkable contributions he will undoubtedly make to the world around him. A big thanks to Coach for his teachings, constant guidance, and support.

Coach feedback on Mrityunjay:

Mrityunjay is a young and intelligent boy who loves playing chess. He possesses a unique technique, as he enjoys learning new strategies and playing against older opponents to apply these techniques. He excels in tactical calculations and grasps chess concepts effortlessly. Mrityunjay actively participates in practice sessions, consistently challenging himself against strong opponents and emerging victorious. I wish him the best of luck for a bright future ahead.

Few games of Mrityunjay:

https://lichess.org/RNOFOw6r/black

https://lichess.org/128wVPM1

https://lichess.org/nspeqL1e/black

https://lichess.org/Ub2QP5T8

https://lichess.org/vuOVQnx7/black

26.Nethan Cherian George

Nethan is a 9-year-old 4th Grader from Charlotte, North Carolina. He started learning chess couple of months back and has been showing a lot of enthusiasm in learning new techniques. His coach Prakrati is a constant source of encouragement and inspiration for him and he looks forward to class and practice sessions every week. Other than chess he is an avid reader, karate brown belt and also enjoys playing soccer.

Coach feedback on Nethan:

Nethan is a marvelous kid; you could find in every practice session. He is learning and adapts the techniques very quickly. He is an outstanding kid in the classes as well. If I have to define Nethan, He is smart, quick and very disciplined. I wish him all the very best for his future endeavors. 

Few games of Nethan:

https://lichess.org/3bc4kbXb

https://lichess.org/CGddyXPs/black

https://lichess.org/LVG78TSo/black

27. Prisha

Prisha is 9 years old, studying in Grade 3rd. She is happy, friendly, fun-loving kid. She loves to play Chess and Basketball. We introduced her to Chess for fun and she loved this game. Prisha joined PCA as an advanced beginner in August 2023 under coach Mr. Sushant Kamble. She is really interested in attending all classes and practice sessions. We can see her game improved a lot in such a short span of time even her execution became fast. Thanks to PCA and Coach Mr. Sushant Kamble for providing a healthy competitive platform for kids.

Coach feedback on Prisha:

Prisha is a young, talented, disciplined, hardworking, and enthusiastic kid who strives to keep on improving herself. Furthermore, she has a great learning ability, enabling her to grasp new concepts and ideas very quickly. In addition, she always actively participates in the class activities with full focus and also she does her  assignments very well. She has shown great enthusiasm toward chess and learning in class. For instance, she has  won several chess tournaments and completed all her assignments with excellence. I am glad that she has supportive parents who encourage her to pursue her interests and goals. I hope she continues to grow and excel in whatever she’ll do. I also wish her all the best for her bright future. 

Few games of Prisha:

https://lichess.org/orkiLbJv

https://lichess.org/p2pQtmf5

https://lichess.org/LqSq62a7

28. Prithvi GaneshKarthik

Prithvi is 7 years old, studying 2nd grade, and lives in Fremont, California. He is a bright, fun-loving kid who loves to explore and learn new things. His interests include music, vocals, public speaking, and basketball. His love for chess was influenced by his dad and Grandpa from the age of 5. He joined PCA three months ago, and we could see his skills had improved a lot and his interest in the game had increased. His coach, Mr.Tushar Sharma, is very friendly, encouraging,encouraging and effortless in teaching new techniques and moves. Prithvi always looks forward to his PCA sessions every time, and we wish him all success in the future!

Coach feedback on Prithvi:

Prithvi is a good-natured child who always looks forward to going to school. He has significantly improved over the last three months. He is able to ask questions and is doing a wonderful job of understanding the concepts. He likes to play aggressively and is getting much better at solving problems. He always arrives on time, and he finishes his projects ahead of schedule. He is always full of energy when it comes to learning, studying, or playing. I’m happy with his development, and I can tell he’s headed in the right direction. He can put in the same effort and dedication to learn how to play chess!

Few games of Prithvi:

https://lichess.org/YKN3oSyF/black

https://lichess.org/qoQKP8ca/black

https://lichess.org/5jZEQCQX

29. Aashirya s

Aashi is 6 years old and studying Kindergarten. She is an energetic, kind and fun-loving kid. She enjoys music, playing piano and playing with her brother and spending time with friends. Aashi joined Premier Chess Academy 4 months back and is loving it. Besides chess she also enjoys arts, crafts and enjoys activities like mind games, solving Rubik’s cube within 2 minutes and swimming. Thank you, Mr. Raunak Gupta, for all the support and helping her learn and grow in chess.

Coach feedback on Aashi:

 Aashi is a highly energetic kid who is always ready to learn new things. She gives her full efforts in getting all the things taught to her and her attitude towards approaching the puzzles is praiseworthy. She never misses any class and is very consistent towards practice and puzzles. She has been showing great progress toward her chess journey. As a coach I am really happy you have Aashi as my student, and I pray she achieves all heights of success in chess and her life.

Few games of Aashi:

https://lichess.org/Do4hriKO

https://lichess.org/7hQlGjTZ/black

https://lichess.org/W26JRHdF

30. Reyansh Mistry      

Reyansh is 8 years old and lives in Wayne NJ. He learned the basics of chess at the age of 4 but after joining PCA last year, he started loving it. His coach Utkarsh is working closely with him to improve his skills and take him to next level. Apart from chess, he loves to dance.

Coach feedback on Reyansh:

Reyansh is a brilliant kid. He is very hardworking and never misses any of his classes. At such a young age his attitude towards learning new things is just commendable. He is doing very well and is a quick learner. The way he solves the puzzles and gives quick answers that are superb. This is just the beginning and at this point, such type of quality, responding to puzzles and various aspects shows that he will do much better in the future. I feel privileged to have Reyansh as my student. My best wishes are with him for success in his near future.

Few games of Reyansh:

https://lichess.org/N0niwrKa/black

https://lichess.org/U3yCFl78/black

https://lichess.org/G4CpHdte

31. Arav Parthasarathy

Arav Parthasarathy is a 9-year-old 4th grader who enjoys playing chess, practicing taekwondo, and has a passion to learning new languages. His chess interest started off through watching his grandfather and sister playing chess together. He is a kind-hearted, joyful, and generous person residing in the state of Seattle, Washington.

Coach feedback on Arav:

“I have been observing Arav’s progression from the fundamentals to a stage where he comprehensively analyses every chess move. Arav’s gameplay, particularly his checkmating strategy, stands out as his strongest attribute. His opening repertoire is formidable, making it challenging to detect errors. Since I evaluated Arav during his initial phase, I’ve had confidence in his abilities from the outset. I wish him all the success in his future endeavors.

Few games of Arav:

https://lichess.org/OR4CfgF8

https://lichess.org/Hljt440L

https://lichess.org/BeoBnyx3/black

32. Sanjana Nalamani

Sanjana is a 12-year-old from Virginia. She has been honing her chess skills for the past year and has developed a keen interest in the game. In addition to chess, she is also learning Bharatanatyam. She possesses artistic talent, excelling in drawing, painting, and crafting. We are grateful to her coach, Shekhar, for his patience and encouragement.

Coach feedback on Sanjana:

Sanjana has developed her chess skills slowly over a long time, with hard work and dedication. She takes her games very seriously and tries to give her best in every tournament she participates in. She also has a mentality to learn from her mistakes and always appreciates and looks forward to coaching feedback in her games to find out her good and bad moves. Going forward, I hope she maintains this mindset and I wish her the best in her chess journey.

Few games of Sanjana:

https://lichess.org/wOsnLUuy

https://lichess.org/SIEZcT2D/black

https://lichess.org/LWqsX362

33.  Shreeyansh

My son Shreeyansh is 5.5 years old. A couple of months ago, we enrolled him in Piyush Sir’s class to learn Chess. My child has no idea what it is and has zero knowledge about it. Based on initial assessment he got places in the Beginner’s advanced batch. But within four months, he developed a keen interest in the game and started grasping more things about the game, including the names of the chess pieces, and their points, and opening rules.  Now he has improved in planning, defense, and is able to understand the opponents’ moves/attacks. He started playing well. He attends all the practice sessions and participates in online competitions. We thank you, Piyush Sir, for all his efforts in teaching Shreeyansh and making the learning process so smooth and super interactive. Piyush Sir is a very knowledgeable and skilled teacher in his area of chess, and that really helps Shreeyansh in his learning.

Coach feedback on Shreeyansh:

Shreeyansh is a talented child who displays great enthusiasm when playing chess. He possesses the admirable quality of always being eager to solve more puzzles and actively participates during class with a lot of energy. I have noticed that he regularly practices and solves puzzles with dedication. I wish him all the best and encourage him to continue working hard.

Few games of Shreeyansh:

https://lichess.org/tAHSQSmp

https://lichess.org/qJV6FAiI/black

https://lichess.org/tAHSQSmp#19

34. Sriharsha Kunam

We are so happy to hear that Sriharsha has been selected as star kid of the month. He has spent a lot of his time playing chess online. Personally, I wanted to share my appreciation to Narendiran sir for teaching and motivating them. Thank you so much Narendiran garu. Sriharsha is currently studying 5th grade and he loves to play soccer and learn slokas.

Coach feedback on Sriharsha:

Harsha is an enthusiastic kid, he’s sharp in the class. He joined as a beginner kid & within a few months he had shown a lot of progress. He started playing the practice sessions & has some good numbers there on lichess. Kids in this class are grasping the topics quite easily, so I always feel comfortable in this class & Harsha is showing an excellent performance. He has the potential to reach great heights in this sport & I wish him all the very best for his upcoming achievements. Thanks & regards.

Few games of Sriharsha:

https://lichess.org/gfB3onNp/white

https://lichess.org/Zr6xT81W/black

https://lichess.org/6Pq3Gnk4/white

35. Mithun Goudhaman

Mithun is 9 years old and studying in 4th grade. He learned chess from his dad and started to improve once he joined Premier Chess Academy. We would like to thank Coach Sahil for helping him learn new techniques. He likes to play Soccer and listen to music.

Coach feedback on Mithun:

Mithun is a very passionate, focused and intelligent kid. He is also fun loving and very respectful. He has shown good signs of improvement in his gameplay in the last few months. He participates regularly in the practice sessions 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 Mithun as my student and my best wishes will always follow his path.”

Few games of Mithun:

https://lichess.org/TeuREekS/white#33  

https://lichess.org/ByGZtnTR

https://lichess.org/sIXOx1in

36. Tanush Pusuluri

Tanush is a 9th grader who enjoys playing chess, basketball, badminton, and video games. He likes going outside with friends and family and is a cheerful and friendly person in general. He picked up chess around the end of his 8th grade year, and has not stopped playing and improving since, and he is always trying to make whatever is lacking in his game shine more. Thanks for all your efforts to keep him engaged in the game.

Coach feedback on Tanush:

Tanush is a passionate boy and a good learner who tries to grasp all the concepts, which are discussed in class and implements all the topics in his game. He is a very attentive and cool kid who learns and plays chess very patiently. He is having good logical thinking and is very regular in class as well as practice sessions. Good Luck to him…!!

Few games of Tanush:

https://lichess.org/4dlw8XeK#43

https://lichess.org/Qafa8Vsx/black#54

https://lichess.org/7ziVExSC#47

37.Siddhant Gayatri Shankar

My son Siddhant Gayatri Shankar, a 1st grader from Houston, Texas, has surprised us all with his newfound passion for chess. Despite our initial reservations about his interest level due to the virtual nature of the classes and the perceived complexity of the game, he quickly grasped its intricacies within just three weeks. Now, he’s deeply engrossed in the world of chess, spending his screen time watching championship games with unwavering enthusiasm. We owe a great deal of gratitude to Coach Raunak Kumar for his patience and expert guidance in nurturing our son’s budding talent in chess. Under his mentorship, our son has transformed from a novice to a skilled player. Beyond chess, our son is an avid LEGO enthusiast, enjoys outdoor sports, loves munching on oranges, finds solace in sleep :), and is happiest when surrounded by water.

Coach feedback on Siddhant:

Siddhant is a talented boy. He is a quick learner and very good at chess puzzles and always surprises me with some innovative moves. Siddhant observes 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 Siddhant!

Few games of Siddhant:

https://lichess.org/PmWeAuwu

https://lichess.org/ta38wEDq#23

https://lichess.org/YLiMKjW

38. Vaibhav Kumar Gundrathi

Vaibhav Kumar is 7 years old studying in 2 nd grade and lives in Columbus, Indianapolis. He has been interested in playing chess since 3 yr old .His coach Ms. Priyanka Sharma from PCA motivated him and built confidence in him ,through which he improved a lot in his moves and skills in chess .We are very happy that we have chosen PCA. Apart from chess, He likes playing Tennis, Building legos.

Coach feedback on Vaibhav:

Vaibhav is an intelligent kid who always looks forward to learning new strategies and game plans. He loves playing in the practice tournaments. He is very competitive and enjoys games like a chess lover. His classroom performance is really good as he puts great effort in solving puzzles and discussing various ideas in the class. Going forward If his dedication is the same he is definitely going to achieve something in the field of chess. Wish Vaibhav ALL THE BEST for his future.

Few games of Vaibhav:

https://lichess.org/Jf5EGkeN 

https://lichess.org/XCi7TObw/black

https://lichess.org/mCzJJbCN/black

39. Vedant Sriram

Vedant Sriram is a zestful 12-year-old who enjoys learning new things. One of our favorite family board games is chess and that is how Vedant got introduced to it. During our lighthearted weekend chess games, we could see that he had a sharp acumen to grasp the game well which led us to enroll him in PCA. In PCA under his coach Mr.Piyush Snehi, we saw a tremendous increase in his love and enthusiasm for chess. Vedant practices and plays chess non-stop without any push from us. His game has drastically improved and the PCA tournaments held periodically make him very passionate about chess. We would like to especially thank his coach, Mr.Piyush for encouraging and empowering Vedant with a variety of chess strategies. We are extremely glad that Vedant could explore the fun world of chess under the impactful mentorship of Mr.Piyush. Vedant is also a Second-Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and enjoys playing Basketball with friends.

Coach feedback on Vedant:

Vedant is a spontaneous and inquisitive learner. He can immediately grasp and implement conceptual themes Introduced during the session. He is keen on details and is dedicated to learning. He showcases a passion for the game and has the potential to be a great chess player. I wish him very good luck in his Chess Career…!!

Few games of Vedant:

https://lichess.org/SXOWcEtf

https://lichess.org/WpTVk0Ta

https://lichess.org/TXTrFWdu

40. Viaan Maheshwari

Meet Viaan Maheshwari, a bright and driven nine-year-old residing in California. At an early age, Viaan discovered his passion for chess. Fascinated by the strategic depth and intellectual challenge it offers, he eagerly delved into the world of knights, bishops, and rooks. With unwavering determination and a thirst for knowledge, Viaan spent countless hours studying chess tactics, analysing games, and honing his skills on the chessboard. Viaan balances his academic studies with his extracurricular pursuits. Whether it’s solving complex maths problems, mastering a new chess strategy, or perfecting a guitar riff, Viaan approaches each task with dedication and resolve, eager to push his limits and unlock his full potential. Thank you, coach Adarsh, for your tireless dedication and unwavering support.

Coach feedback on Viaan:

Viaan is a highly energetic and active boy. He is very passionate about chess. He is always attentive and excited to learn new things. Active nature, passion towards chess and hunger to learn new things make him an astonishing player. He is one of those kids who always wants to answer quickly. On top of that, most of his answers are correct. He is very keen to learn new things and apply them in the games.  Best thing I like about him is that he participates in the practice sessions regularly and always tries to perform well. I feel very happy by seeing Viaan’s improvement and I hope he excels, even more.

Few games of Viaan:

https://lichess.org/OgVEG8HF/black

https://lichess.org/yJ25yFg9/black

https://lichess.org/ylgX2YT1/black

41.Vihaan Badri Narayanan

Vihaan is 9 years old, and we live in Boston, Massachusetts. He has been learning chess for the past year and he always looks forward to classes with his coach Mr. Subhayan. His coach has been a great inspiration and helps him a lot in solving puzzles and coaching him on new tricks. He loves playing chess with his father and friends. Apart from chess, he also loves drawing, swimming, and playing with friends. I am happy to be associated with PCA and I am confident that his coach will mold him into a better player in the future.

Coach feedback on Vihaan:

Vihaan is a talented child who displays great enthusiasm when playing chess. He possesses the admirable quality of always being eager to solve more puzzles and actively participates during class with a lot of energy. I have noticed that he regularly practices and solves puzzles with dedication. I wish him all the best and encourage him to continue working hard.

Few games of Vihaan:

https://lichess.org/gULv9vMj#47

https://lichess.org/zmOZX6cs#28

https://lichess.org/2DULbCVM/black#39

42.  Vileena Nallabelli

For the past year, Vileena has eagerly anticipated playing chess, finding genuine joy in her PCA classes. Chirag, her dedicated instructor, deserves commendation for his exceptional teaching skills and daily inspiration. Under his guidance, Vileena has not only enhanced her chess skills but has also developed heightened focus and learned valuable lessons in handling victories and defeats. In addition to her diverse interests, including Bhangra, Bollywood Dance, and Karate, it’s evident that chess holds a special place in her heart, emerging as her most cherished pursuit.

Coach feedback on Vileena:

Dear Vileena, Bravo! Your dedication to chess is truly inspiring! Your consistent practice, solving hundreds of puzzles each day, is a testament to your passion and commitment. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and it lights up the class, making each session a lively and fun experience for all of us. Your curiosity is a sign of a great mind at work. Keep those questions coming! They not only help you learn but also inspire others in the class. Keep up the fantastic work, Vileena! Best Wishes, Your Chess Coach

Few games of  Vileena:

https://lichess.org/eikgZhA3#131

https://lichess.org/TNx7kDpg#75

https://lichess.org/hHYL7Yfy/black#108

Selection Criteria – February 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.