GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

Grandmaster (FIDE 2553), Founder of Chess Gaja Private Limited — I've mentored over 5000 students from 40+ countries through Chess Gaja’s team of 40+ expert coaches. My focus is on delivering high-performance results: in 2024, students gained an average of 150 rating points with customized study plans and leading LMS technology.

I bring 6+ years living and teaching in the USA, mentored by GM Susan Polgar, and have guided national teams at Chess Olympiads (Brazil, Mauritius, Eritrea, Indian sub-juniors). My approach is results-driven, blending deep tournament experience (11 international medals for India, victories in major US events) with personalized and engaging coaching.

Highlights:
- 15+ students ranked in US Top 100 age groups, 6 national champion students
- Author of the best-selling “Modernized Berlin Wall Defense”
- Classes and feedback delivered via advanced LMS & AI class summary for seamless learning

My mission: to help chess students of all ages unlock lasting improvement, confidence, and competitive success—all while enjoying the journey of learning.

- Grandmaster since age 23, FIDE 2553 / USCF 2632

- International Success: Won major U.S. opens (Chicago Open, New York International), 11 international medals for India, shared first place with GM Gabriel Sargissian in Chicago Open 2014

- Unique High-Level Encounters: Drew World #2 GM Fabiano Caruana in classical play

- Team Excellence: 2x Pan-Am Intercollegiate Championship top 5 (Webster University B/Chess Team), 1st place at Final Four of Collegiate Chess 2017 (Webster Chess Team)

- League Honors: MVP of US Chess League, Rookie of the Year, and All-star player (Board 2, Team 1) in 2012

- Open Titles: Champion of Chicago Open, New York International, Mid-America Open, St.Louis Autumn Invitational, Thanksgiving Open

I’ve played and competed throughout the U.S., India, and Europe, consistently performing at the top level and bringing deep, practical insights into my teaching. My extensive tournament background means I know what it takes to prepare, perform, and win in real-world chess competitions—at every stage and level!

- Coached 6 age-category national champions

- 20+ Chess Gaja academy students ranked in US Top lists for their age group

- 175+ 4.9/5 Google reviews for Chess Gaja

- Students from 40+ countries, ages 5 to 60+, benefiting from personalized programs

- Olympiad team coaching: Led Mauritius and Eritrea at 2024 Hungarian Olympiad, Brazil Men’s National Team at 2022 Chennai Olympiad (improving ranking from 28th to 21st)

- Special mentions in the US: Vaseegaran Nandhakumar (2200+ USCF), Priyansh Garg (2200+ USCF), Gurugrahan (1950+ USCF)

- Special mentions in Singapore: Kanav Raman (250+ rating points gain in 2025)

- Coach of Indian team for World Sub-Junior Olympiad (7th place finish from 19th seed)

- FIDE Trainer title awarded March 2019

Active coaching since 2017—mentored hundreds of talented players across India and the USA. My tailored training produces measurable results: most students see 100+ rating point growth within six months. Experience includes guiding players from beginner (1000) to advanced levels (2300+), and serving as Assistant Coach for Webster University’s Final Four Chess Team (2nd place, 2018).

- Chess Speaker: Panelist at Smart Moves Summit (Washington D.C., 2025), covering “More Than Equal: Levelling the Board for All” and “From Classroom to Cashflow: The Business of School Chess Programs”

- Corporate & EdTech Leadership: Product Manager at Nurtr (2018–2019), building global coaching teams, content, and innovative chess products for easier learning

- League Commissioner: Led India’s first professional chess league (Indian Chess.com League, 2020); attracted top Grandmasters and 0.15 Million INR in sponsorship; secured coverage in Times of India, Hindu, and Fisto Sports

- Media & Communication: Official commentator for Delhi Open 2019 (Asia’s biggest event), PRO Chess League for Webster Windmills, frequent contributor to leading chess magazines

- Event Organization & Community Roles: Managed Webster Windmills PRO Chess League team (2016–2018), USCF Club Tournament Director, Olympic Torchbearer in Tech Mahindra campuses (Chennai, Pune, Mumbai)

- Education Advocate: Guided thousands of kids and parents to balance chess and academics, consulted for corporate chess programs

I bring a unique blend of chess expertise, business leadership, education innovation, and global event experience—adding value in every aspect of chess coaching and development.

- Middlegame and Endgame Mastery: Coaching emphasizes deep understanding of middlegame strategies and endgame techniques that form the foundation of lasting chess improvement.

- Personalized Approach: Lesson plans and feedback are customized to target each student’s specific strengths and areas for growth—no “one size fits all.”

- Tournament Preparation: Proven methods for practical game analysis, competitive mindset, and time management, enabling confident performance in real tournaments.

- Progress Tracking & Support: Seamless use of LMS and AI-powered summaries ensures every student—and parent—can follow progress and review material with ease.

- Holistic Chess Development: Focus on critical thinking, calculation, and confidence, helping students succeed both on and off the board.

I believe openings change with trends, but solid middlegame and endgame skills, supported by personalized training, are the keys to lifelong chess growth.

Step 1: Game Analysis
Review each student's games to diagnose strengths and areas needing improvement.

Step 2: Personalized Training Plan
Develop targeted plans to fix weaknesses and accelerate growth, tailored for every student.

Step 3: Progress Monitoring
Track improvement regularly, with constructive feedback, performance checks, and support.

Step 4: Homework & Practice
Assign practical homework after each class relevant to the current topic, ensuring mastery through real application.

Step 5: Seamless Learning Tools
All classes are delivered using an advanced LMS for smooth scheduling and parent/student access; every class ends with an AI-generated summary for easy revision.

This structured, interactive coaching system guarantees measurable results and a highly personalized learning experience—helping students build lasting chess skills and confidence.