Vidit Gujrathi Joins Premier Chess Academy’s Chess for Everyone 3.0 in Trivandrum
Premier Chess Academy’s Chess for Everyone 3.0 combined four days of FIDE-rated Classical chess with outstanding performances by Kerala’s young talents and a memorable special appearance and simultaneous exhibition by Super Grandmaster and Arjuna Awardee Vidit Gujrathi. Sahoo Utkal Ranjan of Odisha scored a perfect 8/8 to win the tournament, while this edition gave young players an unforgettable opportunity to meet, interact with, and play with Vidit Gujrathi. Photos: Premier Chess Academy
Mr Renjith Balakrishnan (CEO, Premier Chess Academy) briefed us about the event. Read it below.
GM Vidit Gujrathi Makes Chess for Everyone 3.0 Truly Special
One of the defining moments of Chess for Everyone 3.0 happened beyond the tournament standings. Premier Chess Academy had the honour of welcoming Super Grandmaster and Arjuna Awardee Vidit Gujrathi to Trivandrum for a special evening on 3 October 2026 at Hilton Garden Inn, Trivandrum.
For the young players, this was not simply an opportunity to see one of India’s finest chess players from a distance. They could meet him. Talk to him. Ask him questions. Take photographs with him. And, for some, sit across the chessboard and play against him.
The evening began with a special welcome and inspirational interaction with Vidit, followed by an engaging “Ask Vidit” Q&A session, giving children and participants the opportunity to put their questions directly to a Super Grandmaster. A special meet-and-greet and photo session followed before the evening moved to one of its most eagerly awaited moments.
Taking on a Super GM – Vidit’s Simultaneous Exhibition
Vidit concluded the evening with a Simultaneous Chess Exhibition, taking on multiple players across several boards at the same time.
For the participants, it was a rare opportunity to experience playing against a player like Vidit. For many of the children, playing even a single game against a player of Vidit’s calibre will be an experience they remember long after the moves themselves are forgotten. And that is an important part of what Chess for Everyone hopes to create: Not simply tournaments, but experiences that can inspire the next generation.
Celebrating Team India & Arjuna Awardee Vidit Gujrathi
The evening also became a celebration of Indian chess. A special cake-cutting ceremony celebrated Team India’s victory at the 2026 Chess Olympiad, while also celebrating Vidit Gujrathi’s achievement as an Arjuna Award recipient.
It was a memorable moment connecting two generations: one of India’s established chess stars alongside children who are only beginning their own journeys in the game. For the young players watching, the message was powerful: The champions they admire today once began exactly where they are beginning at a chessboard, with a dream.
From the Chessboard to Kerala – Vidit Experiences God’s Own Country
Vidit’s visit to Trivandrum also offered an opportunity to experience Kerala’s culture, traditions and hospitality. During his stay, Vidit enjoyed an authentic traditional Kerala meal served on a banana leaf, experiencing the flavours and hospitality for which the state is known.
He also visited the iconic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum, one of Kerala’s best-known cultural and spiritual landmarks. It added another dimension to the visit, bringing together chess, Kerala’s culture and local hospitality.
Chess for Everyone has always sought to welcome players and guests not only to competitive chess, but also to experience Kerala: God’s Own Country.
Sahoo Utkal Ranjan Crowned Champion with a Perfect 8/8!
This special occasion also featured Premier Chess Academy's 3rd Chess for Everyone tournament. Sahoo Utkal Ranjan of Odisha delivered a flawless performance, claiming the Chess for Everyone 3.0 Classical championship with a remarkable, perfect score of 8/8. He was closely followed by two of Kerala's rising young talents: 14-year-old Muhammed Thoufeek N, who secured the runner-up spot with an outstanding 7/8, and 12-year-old Muhammad Ihsan, who finished third with 6.5/8.
Final Ranking after 8 Rounds
Rk. | Name | FED | Rtg | Club/City | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | IND | 2325 | Odisha | 8 | |
2 | IND | 1872 | Kerala | 7 | |
3 | IND | 1888 | Kerala | 6,5 | |
4 | IND | 2100 | Tamil Nadu | 6 | |
5 | IND | 1948 | Kerala | 6 | |
6 | IND | 1764 | Kerala | 6 | |
7 | IND | 1864 | Kerala | 6 | |
8 | IND | 1797 | Kerala | 6 | |
9 | IND | 1964 | Odisha | 6 | |
10 | IND | 1720 | Kerala | 6 | |
11 | IND | 1715 | Kerala | 6 | |
12 | IND | 1882 | Tamil Nadu | 6 | |
13 | IND | 1681 | Kerala | 6 | |
14 | IND | 1745 | Kerala | 6 | |
15 | IND | 1881 | Kerala | 5,5 |
Kerala’s Young Players Make Their Mark, 11 Kerala players in top 15
One of the biggest stories of Chess for Everyone 3.0 was the remarkable performance of Kerala’s young players. A 14-year-old finished second. A 12-year-old finished third. And that was only the beginning.
Muhammed Thoufeek N, aged 14, finished 2nd overall with 7/8, while Muhammad Ihsan, aged 12, took 3rd with 6.5/8. They were joined by 15-year-old Anecx Kanjiravila B C in 5th, 15-year-old Athulkrishna P in 6th, 14-year-old Sreehari S Mecheril in 7th, and 16-year-old Neev Sajeev in 8th, all scoring 6/8. 12-year-old Rohith S Navneet finished 10th, 16-year-old Neerad P 11th, 10-year-old Vedhik Viswanath 13th, 13-year-old Kedarnath U 14th and 13-year-old Amanlal A 15th overall. Prize Winners list
These performances capture precisely what Chess for Everyone seeks to achieve, giving young players a serious competitive platform where age does not determine opportunity; performance over the chessboard does.
Free Entry, Zero Cash Prize. Limitless Opportunities
At the heart of Chess for Everyone is a simple belief: Opportunity should not depend on the ability to pay an entry fee.
Chess for Everyone 3.0 therefore continued as a social-cause event with FREE ENTRY and ZERO CASH PRIZE. Chess For Everyone 3.0 - October…There was no financial reward waiting for the champion. Instead, players came for something different: competition, experience, improvement, ratings, recognition, and the love of chess.
For developing players, particularly children, the opportunity went even further. Over four days, they could play a serious eight-round FIDE-rated Classical tournament. They could test themselves against stronger and more experienced competitors. They could watch other talented youngsters succeed.
And during the same edition, they could meet, learn from, and play against Super GM Vidit Gujrathi. That combination represents what Premier Chess Academy wants Chess for Everyone to become.
Important Links
Premier Chess Academy: Instagram, YouTube, Website, Last Event
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