Mumbai, Dec 12 – In a career that has spanned almost ten years, Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa has never seen a rush of people at a chess venue that felt like a stampede.
The 20‑year‑old, who is currently World No. 7, has attended countless tournaments and meets with past and present stars. What unfolded Friday, however, at the District Sports Club near Dharavi in Mumbai was unlike anything he’s experienced before.
Pragganandhaa came to Mumbai to take part in the one‑day Dharavi Chess Championship 2025, organised by Navbharat Mega Developers in partnership with the Adani Group. The event was aimed at school children from Dharavi, a neighbourhood that is being transformed through a large‑scale development plan.
Around 450 students from 30 schools in Dharavi and nearby Sion Koliwada rushed the hall, and the organisers had to bring in security to escort the 20‑year‑old from Chennai. The crowd’s enthusiasm surprised the maestro. “It was a pleasant surprise. It’s an amazing event. So much excitement from the kids for a chess tournament, and the game of chess is amazing to see. They all look very inspired, which is really good to see,” Pragganandhaa told LatestNewsX on Friday.
Each word he spoke was met with cheers from the eager fans. His every move was watched closely, and the children pressed forward, breaching the makeshift barriers the organisers had erected. Pragganandhaa, used to seeing fans swoop at movie stars, had never been in such a scene before.
It was also the first time many of the students had met a grandmaster, and the thrill was palpable.
The atmosphere reminded Pragg of his own early days as a chess player and his school years in Chennai. He expressed his well‑wishes to the participants in a brief address, wishing them luck in their future endeavours.
Shivam Chaurasiya, who won the senior category of the Dharavi Chess Championship, was granted a dream‑like moment when Pragganandhaa presented his prize. “I have seen their photographs on the Internet, but this was the first time that I have met a chess grandmaster. He is so approachable,” the Class 9 student from Guru Nanak National High School said.
Like Pragganandhaa, Shivam hails from a modest background. His parents run a small leather‑goods business in Dharavi, a densely populated area that was once known worldwide as Asia’s largest slum.
A self‑taught player, Shivam entered his first tournament with nothing but determination on his side. “We never have such events in our locality. This is the first time that I am participating in such an event. I hope with the development of Dharavi, we will have more such events,” he said to LatestNewsX from the sidelines.
Beyond the championship, the senior and junior winners—Shivam and his fellow contender Sumit (Class 20)—got the chance to play a 10‑player simul against GM Pragganandhaa. “Meeting him was a memorable experience. We don’t get such chances. No meeting sports stars and playing with them. He is very nice,” Sumit remarked.
Both hopeful of future opportunities, they celebrated their victories: Shivam took the senior title and Sumit came in second, even though neither had received formal coaching.
Navbharat Mega Developers and the Adani Group, as they push forward with Dharavi’s redevelopment, are optimistic that such festivals will become a regular feature of the community. The Dharavi Chess Championship, organised by the Adani Group, underscores the company’s commitment to nurturing sports at the grassroots level.
These events not only foster social progress but also complement Dharavi’s physical transformation.
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