-
From producing World Champion D Gukesh to Junior Champion Pranav V, Chennai’s Velammal
-
MHS School cements its legacy as India’s chess powerhouse
The roar of “Go Velammal, Velammal!” echoed in Virginia as seven students from Chennai’s Velammal MHS School, draped in gold medals and holding the tricolour, lifted the 2025 World Schools Team Championship trophy. The team’s flawless run — winning all eight matches and sealing the title even before the final round — reaffirmed India’s growing dominance in chess, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Velammal’s triumph in Virginia is the latest chapter in its unmatched record of producing India’s chess prodigies
Led by WFM Keerti Shree Reddy, IM Aswath S, FM Daakshin Arun, IM Ilamparthi A, and FM Pranav KP, the Chennai-based school once again showcased its winning formula — a blend of academic flexibility, professional coaching, and relentless player support.
Some of India’s finest chess minds, including GMs D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Pranav V, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and Leon Luke Mendonca, began their journeys at Velammal. The institution’s rise as “The Chess Factory of India” dates back to the early 2000s, when it started nurturing talent at the grassroots level.
Velammal’s commitment to chess goes beyond training. From granting extended leave for tournaments to offering financial support — such as gifting Gukesh a Mercedes-Benz worth ₹90 lakh after his Candidates victory — the school celebrates its players’ milestones in grand style. When Gukesh became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, Velammal awarded him ₹1 crore in cash.
GM Shyam Sundar Mohanraj, who coaches many Velammal players, credits such support as critical to Chennai’s chess boom. With the city already known as India’s “Chess Capital” and inspired by icons like Viswanathan Anand, the culture of the sport continues to thrive.
For Velammal, the 2025 World Schools Team Championship isn’t just a win — it’s proof that India’s chess future is in capable hands, ready to produce the next wave of champions.
