NEW DELHI: The COVID-19 outbreak had not but induced a hullabaloo throughout the globe, Lionel Messi was nonetheless and not using a FIFA World Cup title, synthetic intelligence (AI) had not entered on a regular basis conversations, and Russia and Ukraine have been nonetheless “non-hostile” neighbours when Nagpur’s Raunak Sadhwani attained his Grandmaster (GM) title in 2019.At 13 years 9 months and 28 days, Raunak earned the very best title in chess, turning into one of many youngest Indians to realize the feat. Within the document e book, he joined the likes of present World Chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju (12 years, 7 months and 17 days), Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa (12 years, 10 months and 13 days), and Nihal Sarin (14 years, 1 month and 1 day).

As Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa stay the highest two names within the present FIDE ranking record for juniors, Raunak, presently stationed at quantity eight, shouldn’t be too far behind.Nicely, all he can recall about pursuing the GM title is the strain through the first norm.“I used to be by no means bothered in regards to the GM title. I’ve at all times felt that I’d get there,” Raunak advised TimesofIndia.com throughout an unique dialog on the sidelines of the International Chess League (GCL), presently happening in Mumbai. “However my first norm was tough. It took a while, after which it was very easy. I knew I belonged there. So I simply stored enjoying and finally bought it.”Nonetheless, the journey since then has not been straightforward. With the pandemic placing day by day life to a standstill, and gamers not capable of journey overseas to play in higher-rated tournaments, some gamers slowed down.Whereas the likes of Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Nihal are three of probably the most celebrated chess gamers within the nation, Raunak remains to be figuring his manner round.“I positively have to enhance extra. I misplaced ranking within the final six months, so I positively need to get again and win some tournaments and get my ELO again. So I’m engaged on it,” added the 2638-rated 19-year-old, who achieved a peak ranking of 2681 again in January 2025.However, the plan to “positively have to enhance” requires a correct framework, steering, and mentorship, which {the teenager} is presently struggling to afford on account of what many contemplate the darkish facet {of professional} chess: the expense.Whereas the chess ecosystem has advanced in a manner the place a participant is made to bear all his/her expenditures, even hiring a full-time coach is proving to be a problem as a result of lack of ample personal sponsorship.“It’s a giant downside within the sport. Even I nonetheless face this concern myself. I don’t have a full-time coach proper now as a result of it’s actually costly. You want a sponsor for that, and I’m ready for one,” he revealed.“For the time being, I don’t have any. So yeah, it’s a really costly sport. Teaching isn’t straightforward to afford as a result of the charges are a lot increased in comparison with different sports activities. So yeah, it’s not very straightforward for folks to handle it.”In GCL this season, Raunak is sharing the identical staff with five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand, 2025 FIDE World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov, and German expertise Vincent Keymer.“It’s an attention-grabbing staff with the likes of Viswanathan Anand sir, and everybody else is sort of younger, so I do know them fairly effectively myself. So it will likely be enjoyable,” he additional famous.Raunak sees the GCL as a preparatory step for the upcoming FIDE World Fast and Blitz Championships, the place he’ll take the sector in Doha, Qatar.“It will likely be superb to remain within the stream. You’re enjoying speedy right here after which instantly you go to Qatar to play speedy once more. So it’s positively a very good warm-up to have,” the teenage Grandmaster concluded.