(from left) Grand Master R Praggnanandhaa, Vellayan Subbiah, Executive Chairman, Cholamandalam Investment and Finance; PR Venketrama Raja, Founder, Ramco Systems and Chess world champion Viswanathan Anand, at the launch of Chola Chess
| Photo Credit:
Bijoy Ghosh
In a bid to strengthen India’s chess ecosystem, Murugappa Group-owned Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company (Chola) on Wednesday launched Chola Chess, a CSR initiative to discover and nurture chess talent across the country.
In collaboration with Chess Gurukul, the initiative will provide a structured platform for early-stage chess talent development, particularly among children showing promise at the grassroots level, and will prepare them for the global stage.
Training is delivered through exclusive 5-7-day camps designed for 6 FIDE rating bands ranging from 1,400 to 3,000. Camps entail quality world-class coaching, physical fitness, mental strength training, communication and nutritional guidance.
Hybrid delivery model
The platform is led by Grandmaster RB Ramesh, who intends to provide mentorship, training, and mental conditioning. A standout feature of the initiative will be its hybrid delivery model: the web portal CholaChess.com will ensure players from across the country, including rural areas, can access high-quality mentorship regardless of geography.
“India is currently witnessing an unprecedented wave of chess enthusiasm, with young prodigies achieving global recognition. However, access to high-quality, structured training remains elusive,” Vellayan Subbiah, Executive Chairman of Chola, said. “We, at Murugappa Group, have been promoting various sports through our Foundation; Chess also has a personal connect for me,” he added.
“While we don’t intend to set any strict targets as a CSR initiative, the idea is to make Chennai and Chola Chess the chess training capital of the world; we have already seen interest from across the country,” Subbiah told businessline.
Speaking at the launch, Chess world champion Viswanathan Anand said that the platform is set to be a valuable resource for youngsters, and the results will be soon there for all to see. Tamil Nadu is the strongest when it comes to chess talent, but the online portal can also be used by anyone to apply, and is hence open to people beyond Tamil Nadu too, he added.
“With Chola Chess, we are building an ecosystem where discipline, resilience, and strategic thinking are nurtured from a young age,” Grandmaster RB Ramesh, Head Coach, said. “This platform will help shape not just champions, but also confident, thinking individuals.”
Critical gaps
The programme is designed to bridge critical gaps particularly for underrepresented and financially constrained talent and provide a level playing field for serious learners nationwide. The CholaChess.com website will track the progress, achievements and chess journeys of all its players.
Chola commenced business as an equipment financing company and has emerged as a comprehensive financial services provider offering vehicle finance, home loans, home equity loans, SME loans, consumer durables loans, gold loans, investment advisory services, stock broking and various other financial services to customers. Chola operates from 2,337 touch points across India, with assets under management above ₹1,99,876 crore.
Published on July 9, 2025