The Consistency and Hard Work
Earning a maiden IM norm requires immense consistency and hard work, as proven by Setumadhav Yellumahanthi at the Kanizsa Open. Facing a must-win situation in the final round, he delivered a stunning victory over China's GM Wan Yunguo (2507), his first-ever classical win against a Grandmaster.
ChessBase India caught up with Setumadhav to discuss his chess beginnings, the challenges of training independently, and the support behind his maiden IM norm.
Interview with ChessBase India
Sagar Shah: Heartiest congratulations, Setumadhav! We’d love to do a piece on your achievement. To start from the very beginning, where did your chess journey take off, and who are the coaches and mentors who laid your foundation?
Setumadhav Yellumahanthi: Thank you so much, Sagar Sir. I am from Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. I actually started chess relatively late, around the age of 11, after my father introduced me to the game and sparked my interest.
My foundational journey was built by the incredible coaches in my early days: Chandra Mouli Sir gave me my initial start, Bheema Rao Sir supported and guided me continuously, and I also trained under N. Rama Raju Sir. The strong fundamentals they built back then are the reason I can calculate and fight today.
Sagar Shah: How are you currently managing your preparation and training independently while competing abroad?
Setumadhav Yellumahanthi: At present, I am not able to train under a formal full-time coach. Professional Grandmaster training requires a heavy financial commitment, so my family and I decided to invest our limited resources directly into European exposure and tournament play.
I work independently using ChessBase, engines, and deep game analysis. I've also explored online platforms like Pro Chess Training, Killer Chess Training, and books to supplement my preparation, while sharing insights and bouncing ideas with friends like Vedant Panesar. At present, I am training on Killer Chess Training (Jacob Aagard). Earlier, I also took classes with GM Debashis Das sir and GM GN Gopal sir, even though it was for a short time.
Sagar Shah: Traveling from a small town all the way to the European circuit on a tight budget is never easy. Who are the people in your corner that you’d like to thank for helping you reach this first IM norm?
Setumadhav Yellumahanthi: I am very thankful to my parents, Y.S.V. Kumar and Anusha, and my family. They have been my biggest pillar of strength. Coming from a small town like Srikakulam and navigating the European circuit on a tight budget has its challenges, but my parents' belief and endless sacrifices keep me going every single day.
Replay the game
Sagar Shah: What’s on the horizon for you now? Which tournaments are you playing next so that we can follow your games as you chase the remaining two norms?
Setumadhav Yellumahanthi: I am currently finalizing my upcoming tournament schedule to build on this momentum, secure my remaining two IM norms, and cross 2400 Elo.
Setumadhav Yellumahanthi: A heartfelt thank you to you, Sagar Sir, Amruta Didi, and the entire ChessBase India team. Your videos, interviews, and round-the-clock coverage of Indian chess provide immense guidance and motivation for self-driven players like me.
Replay all games of Setumadhav from this tournament
Editorial Note: News of Setumadhav's first IM norm reached us not just through the tournament circuit, but also through the team at Killer Chess Training, who proudly shared his achievement with ChessBase India. Setumadhav has been a dedicated member of their online training platform, and his hard work has translated into a stellar norm performance.
Setumadhav’s journey from Srikakulam to his maiden IM norm on the European circuit is a powerful testament to his grit and passion. Navigating the competitive chess world independently is no small feat, and his success proves that sheer determination can overcome major hurdles. ChessBase India wishes him the very best as he hunts for his remaining two norms and crosses the 2400 Elo mark!
