GM Shyam Sundar's mission to make chess training affordable

Redefining coaching!

What does it mean to be a chess coach? Your first thought might be “to create champions”. You are not wrong, of course. Titles and trophies are undeniably important. But if you dig a little deeper, you will realise that coaching is more than just winning. It’s about shaping minds. It’s about nurturing potential. This is the philosophy that GM Shyam Sundar follows. This man is quietly redefining chess coaching in Chennai.

From a very young age, chess has been his main source of inspiration. He began playing at 8, became an International Master at 14, and achieved the Grandmaster title by 20. For the past twelve years, he has dedicated himself to mentoring countless players. But what is so special about Shyam? His commitment to accessibility and affordability! He truly believes that coaching should not be a privilege; it’s a right that should be accessible to all!

Shyam’s journey is one of selfless service. Of course, it wasn’t easy. There were moments when he questioned whether his efforts truly mattered. He saw his students paying much higher fees to other coaches or staying in luxury hotels. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but over the years, Shyam found peace in focusing on what he could control: providing quality training and staying true to his mission. He realised his satisfaction is not in awards or acknowledgement, but in seeing his students grow.

My parents often remind me that chess has given me everything, and I should always be grateful and give back to the community. - Shyam explains.

This mindset led to the birth of his offline academy, Chess Thulir. It was established after the pandemic to make quality training accessible. The name “Thulir” means “blossom” in Tamil, symbolising growth and nurturing. The academy is true to its name with only one motive - Student progress above everything else. He also has a dream of building a multi-tiered academy to train players of all levels.

He offers flexible rates, considering the financial constraints many players face. However, affordability doesn’t mean compromising on quality. Shyam works with a diverse range of players, from beginners to advanced, and even mentors other coaches. He carefully matches coaches to students based on their knowledge and practical skills.

There are numerous talented and hardworking players in our country, and I firmly believe that regular offline training is essential for elevating their skills - he states.

Shyam’s coaching style is very personal and intuitive. He firmly believes that each individual is unique, so each training should be unique. Most importantly, he focuses on building rapport with his students. He engages with them in outdoor sports like cricket or badminton. This just helps him connect with his students and makes the learning process natural and enjoyable. That’s why his sessions feel less like formal training and more like learning from a friend.

Today, many of Shyam’s students are on the verge of achieving titles. He has students who are close to both Grandmaster and International Master titles. Yet, Shyam constantly reminds them that success isn’t just about titles or ratings. It’s about enjoying the game, learning from every experience, and growing as a person. This philosophy resonates deeply with his own journey. His parents often remind him that chess has given him everything, and he should always be grateful and give back to the community. It's not merely a job; it's a way of life!

Shyam has trained many prominent players who have attained considerable success. Some of them are:

According to Shyam, four things can help aspiring chess players achieve anything: discipline, self-motivation, and physical and mental well-being.

If you are consistent with your efforts, even after facing setbacks, you will eventually make improvement - Shyam assures.

He also suggests chess books written by players themselves, as they are the best to learn from. A few recommendations from him are:

1. Mind Master by Viswanathan Anand

2. Positional Decision-Making in Chess by Boris Gelfand

3. Technical Decision-Making in Chess by Boris Gelfand

4. Books written by David Navara and Ivan Sokolov

5. Game Changer by Mathew Sadler and Natasha Regan

6. The Silicon Road to Chess Improvement by Matthew Sadler

Shyam Sundar's story shows us the power of selfless service. Exactly six years ago, Shyam expressed the uncertainties of unemployment and financial instability. Today, his story has transformed into one of fulfillment and purpose. He has found a way to turn his challenges into something meaningful! He proved that the true essence of coaching is in the joy of seeing others grow!

You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want. - Zig Ziglar