Ekaansh Sharma joined Chaturangveda at age 7 with no prior chess experience. In less than a year, he had competed — and won — at the state level.
What makes Ekaansh's journey remarkable isn't just the trophies. It's the transformation. His parents describe a child who struggled with focus in school, but who sat completely still, eyes locked on the board, the moment a chess session began.
"Chess gave him a reason to think slowly," said his mother. "He used to rush through everything. Now he plans."
From the First Move to the Tournament Stage
Ekaansh started with our Beginner curriculum, learning the rules, piece movements, and basic tactics. Within three months, he had moved to the Intermediate level — unusually fast progress that caught the attention of his coach, Manoj Reddy Maram.
"He had an intuitive feel for the board that I rarely see in beginners," Manoj recalls. "He was thinking ahead naturally. We just had to give that instinct structure."
By month six, Ekaansh was studying real grandmaster games and preparing for his first tournament.
Tournament Day
Ekaansh competed in the Telangana State Under-9 Championship in early 2025. He finished in the top three — a stunning result for someone who had started from scratch less than a year earlier.
"I was nervous before every game," Ekaansh admitted. "But then I sat down and it felt like normal practice. Just me and the board."
What's Next
Ekaansh is now training for national-level competitions. His goal: an international FIDE rating by the time he turns 10.
Stories like his are exactly why Chaturangveda exists — to show that with the right coaching, every child has untapped potential waiting to be unlocked.