Interview with ChessBase India
We sat down with Vivaan to delve into the highs and lows of his chess career. From discovering the game at age seven to battling through severe rating slumps and exhausting double-round days, he opens up about his high-risk playing style and the unwavering support system that helped him reach the International Master Title.
Devansh: When did your chess journey begin, and what initially drew you to the game?
Vivaan: My journey began when I was around seven years old. I showed an initial curiosity in the game, so my parents found me a coach. In my very first local tournament, I managed to win a prize in my age category, which gave me immense motivation to keep going.
Devansh: Who or what has been the biggest influence on your chess career?
Vivaan: I would definitely say my parents and coaches have had the biggest influence on my career. I’ve worked with multiple coaches, and each of them has shaped my understanding of the game. My father has been instrumental in helping me stay consistent with my training. I fondly remember how he used to take a chess book, set up the board, and ask me questions; it made training so much fun, and I still genuinely enjoy that method of working on chess. My mother is usually the one who travels with me to tournaments. Without the support of my parents and coaches, I wouldn’t have made it this far, and I am deeply grateful to them.
Devansh: Who have been your coaches so far, and how long did you train with each?
Vivaan: My first coach was Sukhdev Patel, who introduced me to the rules and fundamentals of the game right at the start. Later, I trained with Ketan Chopda for a substantial period starting just before the lockdown and continuing until it ended. He worked on my basics and helped me build a solid foundation.
After that, I began working with FM Siddhant Gaikwad from Pune. I won my first national championship under his guidance. I remember calling him more than ten times a day during tournaments! Despite his own commitments, he always made time to support me before and during games. I trained with him until I reached around 2300, and even today, I turn to him whenever I need advice.
Around that time, I also spent about a year and a half working with GM Alexander Goloschapov, who helped me develop a more systematic approach to chess and structured training. Currently, I have been training with GM Swayams Mishra for about a year and a half. I’ve learned a great deal from him, and he has broadened my understanding of the game significantly. I'm immensely thankful to all my coaches for their support throughout my journey. I also attended a few Chola chess camps, which proved to be an excellent experience.
Devansh: What have been some of the biggest challenges you faced in your chess journey?
Vivaan: There have been several tough moments along the way. In particular, I went through two major slumps: dropping from 2047 down to 1774 at one point, and more recently shedding around 100 rating points after touching my peak of 2429. A significant hurdle has been my highly ambitious playing style; while it has brought me great results, taking excessive risks in certain games has also cost me valuable rating points.
Devansh: What was your target going to Budapest?
Vivaan: My primary objective was simply to play better chess compared to my recent performances, though securing the IM title was naturally in the back of my mind.
IM Norms
1st Norm: Rudar Round Robin Chess Tournament, Požarevac, Serbia – February 2025.
2nd Norm: SixDays September Open – Norm Edition, Budapest, Hungary – September 2026.
Check out the round 4 game against GM Gretarsson
3rd Norm: SixDays Budapest Sept 2026 - GM-A
Devansh: Which games were the most important in your pursuit of the title?
Vivaan: I had already secured my first two IM norms with a round or two to spare, but the third one turned out to be quite an uphill task because I needed to win my final two games. Heading into the seventh round, I needed 2/3. I planned to try and win round 7 and then hold solid draws in the last two. However, after a gruelling 4.5-hour battle on a double-round day, I lost round 7 due to an unnecessary sacrifice.
I was exhausted, demoralized, and felt my chances of making the norm had slipped away. In the very next round, though, I managed to grind out a win from an equal middlegame against GM Azer Mirzoev. I’m especially proud of that victory because I found a way to win despite being drained and low on confidence. That win reignited my motivation, and I played a strong game the following day to clinch the title. Looking back, that eighth-round encounter was undoubtedly the toughest test.
Devansh: Where and when did you first cross the 2400 rating mark?
Vivaan: I crossed the 2400 mark in Serbia at the 17th Rudar GM Round Robin tournament, where I also earned my first IM norm. That event marked my peak rating of 2429 and remains my best performance to date.
Devansh: How do you manage the costs of training and tournaments? Have you received any sponsorship or financial support?
Vivaan: At present, my family has been managing all the expenses ourselves. I haven't received any sponsorship yet, so we are actively looking for financial support.
Devansh: Can u tell us about your major achievements?
Youngest International Master from Gujarat
Commonwealth Youth U-10 Champion
Multiple medals at Asian Youth/Junior Championships
Represented India at Asian and World-level events
Peak FIDE rating: 2429
SJAG Emerging Player of the Year 2024 – Chess
Eklavya Junior Award 2026, Sports Authority of Gujarat
Vivaan’s historic milestone as Gujarat’s youngest International Master is just the beginning. As this 14-year-old prodigy sets his sights on the Grandmaster title, we wish him all the best.
