June 24, 2025
In a stunning turn of events at the 2025 Asian Universities Chess Championship, India’s rapid chess team clinched a sensational victory—led not by a seasoned grandmaster, but by a self-described recreational player: Atharvaa Tayade of IIM-Calcutta.
India’s unexpected triumph came against strong contenders from China, Iran, and Kazakhstan. The rapid format, known for testing reflexes and tactical intuition under time pressure, saw the Indian team pull off win after win in a remarkable streak that few had anticipated.
The standout among the team was 24-year-old Atharvaa Tayade, whose rise to prominence reads like a chess fairytale. A management student from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Tayade isn’t a full-time player. In fact, his FIDE rating is modest compared to the titans he faced. But what he lacked in formal credentials, he made up for in sheer strategic brilliance and nerves of steel.
Playing Board 2, Tayade pulled off consecutive wins against opponents rated hundreds of points above him. His calm demeanor and sharp positional play drew admiration from coaches and opponents alike. One particularly memorable moment was his game against China’s Qi Jianhao, in which Tayade turned a losing position into a brilliant endgame victory under immense time pressure.
“Honestly, I just play for fun,” said Tayade, grinning after the final round. “I never thought I’d be playing on a stage like this, let alone winning against players who’ve been training for years.”
Tayade’s teammates—Pranav Deshmukh, Megha Mital, and Arvind Rao—also delivered solid performances, but all agreed that Atharvaa’s board points were instrumental in India lifting the trophy.
Chess Federation of India officials were quick to acknowledge the significance of the victory. “It proves that talent can emerge from anywhere,” said CFI secretary A. Ghosh. “Atharvaa is an inspiration—not just for chess enthusiasts, but for every student who juggles passion with academics.”
The surprise win has sparked fresh interest in collegiate chess across India. With several top IIMs, IITs, and private universities already running active chess clubs, Tayade’s success could become a catalyst for integrating chess more deeply into academic life.
As for what’s next, Tayade remains grounded: “I’ll probably go back to case studies and group projects tomorrow. But today—I think I’ll enjoy this moment.”
India’s rapid chess team may have entered the championship as underdogs, but thanks to an unexpected hero from IIM-Calcutta, they’ve left as legends.
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