From asking who Sivakarthikeyan is to being lightning quick behind the stumps like Dhoni: Ilamparthi is a true prodigy

In 2022, the Tamil Nadu Chess Association conducted a camp in Pollachi for the state’s top junior players. Among the many qualified youngsters, one boy stood out — not for his selection, but for his determination. Thirteen-year-old Ilamparthi, who hadn’t qualified, arrived at the venue holding his grandfather’s hand, hoping to meet Grandmaster Shyam Sundar Mohanraj, one of India’s most respected chess coaches.

In an interview given to TimesofIndia.com, Shyam recalls how the shy boy from Pollachi, speaking in the humble slang of the region, immediately caught his attention. Recognising a spark of raw brilliance, the coach decided to mentor him. Three years later, that decision bore fruit — Ilamparthi AR is now India’s 90th Grandmaster (GM).

Illam’s mother, P. Gayathri, a science teacher, first introduced him to chess, teaching him how to set up the pieces. Ravikumar later taught him the rules, and the young boy grasped them quickly.

Born in 2009, Ilamparthi was competing at the national level by the age of five. In 2014, he won the Under-5 Nationals in Delhi, followed by the Under-7 title and a gold medal at the Asian Championship. That’s when the family realised they had a prodigy on their hands.

But behind the victories lay financial and emotional challenges. Ravikumar told TimesofIndia.com that chess demands extensive travel and long tournaments, often straining their resources. As Ilamparthi rose through the ranks, international exposure became essential — each trip abroad costing three to four lakh rupees. Though scholarships and CSR aid provided some relief, consistent sponsorship remained elusive.

Adding to the family’s hardships, Ravikumar’s younger son, aged 12, lives with epilepsy and requires constant care. “He cannot speak or walk,” says Ravikumar. “So we have to do everything for him. Eventually, I couldn’t travel with Ilam anymore. Since early 2025, he has been travelling alone.”

Despite these challenges, Ilamparthi remains remarkably grounded. Coach Shyam describes him as “hardworking, disciplined, and free from distractions.” The teenager avoids social media, doesn’t watch films, and spends most of his time either at Shyam’s home or at the Chess Thulir academy in Chennai.

“Once he saw a photo of me with actor Sivakarthikeyan at the academy and asked who he was — that’s how little he knows about cinema,” Shyam told TimesofIndia.com with a laugh.

Interestingly, when not playing chess, the players at the academy unwind with cricket — where Ilamparthi impresses with his quick reflexes behind the stumps, reminiscent of MS Dhoni’s sharp wicketkeeping. The same sharpness shows in his chess puzzles: while many Grandmasters take 15–20 minutes, Ilamparthi solves them in just three to five.

After becoming an International Master in 2023, Ilamparthi narrowly missed the GM title multiple times before finally earning it at the Bijeljina Open in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Shyam recalls advising him not to chase the title but to focus on playing good chess — advice that paid off.

Now, with the Grandmaster title secured, the young champion’s journey has only begun. Shyam aims to mould him into a complete player, while Ravikumar focuses on his son’s happiness rather than financial returns.

From a shy boy who once walked into a camp holding his grandfather’s hand to India’s newest Grandmaster, Ilamparthi’s rise embodies patience, discipline, and an unbreakable spirit — the dawn of a sun still on the rise.(With inputs from Agencies)