Harish Kumar: A Life Dedicated to Chess
Harish Kumar’s journey in chess began at an early age, driven by a passion that eventually became his life’s work. By 21, Harish had already started coaching kids offline, helping them gain confidence and sharpen their skills.
“I was one of the first to seriously commit to online coaching,” Harish recalls. I’ve taught for up to 10 hours a day, working with players ranging from beginners to experienced competitors.”
This leap into the online world turned out to be a defining moment in his career. Through his academy, Chessedify International Academy, Harish has reached students from countries like the US, UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Over the years, he has coached more than 1,000 students and logged over 20,000 hours of online teaching. In 2016, he earned the prestigious Arena Grandmaster (AGM) title, a significant milestone.
Harish’s students have achieved remarkable success as well. Notable names include Dhruva Patil, a ChessKid National Champion, and several USCF Candidate Masters. “One of my students won a silver medal in the Below 1600 Delhi International Tournament,
Harish believes in personalized teaching. “I don’t follow a rigid syllabus,” he explains. “Every student is unique. I adapt my teaching based on their strengths, weaknesses, and learning pace.”
For Harish, the key to coaching lies in understanding chess concepts deeply. “Teaching chess isn’t just about setting up positions and asking questions. Students need to understand the underlying concepts before they can apply them effectively,” he says.
Harish offers thoughtful advice to parents of aspiring chess players. “If your child shows potential to become a top player, invest in their growth, but don’t pressure them to perform. Let them mature naturally and reach their full potential in their own time,” he advises.
He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the learning process rather than just tournament results. “Winning isn’t the only goal. Ask yourself if the experience helped your child grow their knowledge or problem-solving skills,” he says.
Harish also highlights the value of resilience. “A true champion never gives up. Even in a losing position, they fight to turn the game around. That’s the mindset that creates winners,” he explains. He also stresses the importance of physical fitness, saying, “A healthy body supports a healthy mind.”
For Harish, chess is more than just a game—it’s a tool that builds essential life skills. “Chess teaches critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. It helps kids become smarter and more analytical,” he says.
He points out that many chess players excel in fields like programming, architecture, and engineering due to the strategic thinking and planning they develop through the game.
As a player, Harish has an impressive record. He has won the Udupi District Championship multiple times, placed in the top 10 at state tournaments, and ranked 18th in national competitions. Recently, he was the 2nd runner-up at the SNG School of Chess Open Rapid Tournament.
Harish also enjoys playing online chess. He recently placed 3rd in an hourly bullet arena with 238 participants on Lichess and 5th in a blitz event with 850 players.
In addition to coaching, Harish organized over 50 tournaments in the Udupi and Mangalore districts. While proud of his contributions to tournament organization, Harish’s primary focus now lies in coaching.
Harish finds inspiration in Venkatachalam Kameswaran, India’s first international arbiter and the first official coach of Viswanathan Anand. Harish even wrote a book, The Journey to Temple City, about Kameswaran’s 2009 visit to Udupi, where he served as the chief guest for a tournament Harish organized.
“Kameswaran’s dedication deeply inspired me,” Harish says. “I strive to pass on his values of hard work and commitment to my students.”
Harish is also deeply influenced by chess legends like Bobby Fischer and José Raúl Capablanca. “I’ve studied Fischer’s 800 games—it was a tremendous learning experience. Capablanca’s endgames have been a huge inspiration for me,” he shares.
Harish is excited about India’s growing influence in the chess world. “India’s talent pool is incredible,” he says, citing Gukesh’s recent achievement as a world champion. “It’s proof that with hard work and excellent coaching, anyone can achieve their dreams.”
For Harish Kumar, chess is more than just a career—it’s a way of life. Whether through coaching, organizing tournaments, or inspiring future champions, Harish’s contributions to the chess world leave a lasting impact.
To learn more about Harish’s work or to join his academy, visit www.chessmentor.in.
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