About Chess Gaja

We help students reach their chess goals with proper guidance

What’s our story?

We're Chess Gaja, and we've been providing online chess training since 2019. We believe in offering premium chess training and instilling a love for chess in our student's minds. We are working to create an ecosystem where learning chess is fun and use chess as a tool to enhance the thinking abilities of humans.

GrandMaster and FIDE Trainer Priyadharshan Kannappan started Chess Gaja in 2019, as he saw that parents were looking for high-quality lessons in a guided manner where a student can come in as an absolute beginner and will be handheld all the way to GrandMaster level.
An elephant walking with its trunk up while receiving chess coaching.

We are an

Us chess affiliate logo for beginners.

Driven by a mission

We are in the era of information overload where we have access to excessive chess information.

At Chess Gaja, our mission is to give you the proper guidance and a fantastic learning experience to help you achieve your goals

What are we dreaming for the future?

Our vision is to impact the lives of millions of children by using chess as an analytical tool to create sharper brains for a better world.

Meet the Team

Our Founder & Managing Director

Priyadharshan Kannappan, GrandMaster, FIDE Trainer and India’s highest FIDE rated professional coach.

Priyadharshan has won 11 international medals for India and has travelled to 12 countries to play in tournaments. Priyadharshan did his B.S in Marketing from Lindenwood University, St.Louis, US and an M.A in Management and Leadership from Webster University, St.Louis, US.

He has won prestigious International Open tournaments like the Chicago Open, New York International, Mid-America Open etc. In addition, he was part of the multiple time national collegiate championship team in Webster University, where Woman’s World Champion Susan Polgar mentored him.

He was the coach and captain of Brazil Open Team in the 2022 Chess Olympiad
A man wearing a black t-shirt with the words "chess openings gaia" on it.

Our Co-Founder

Meenakshi Kannappan

She knows what it takes to create a GrandMaster, as she is the mother of GM Priyadharshan Kannappan. She travelled with Priyadharshan in his formative years worldwide for tournaments and training and brings all that experience to the table in designing programs and classes in Chess Gaja to develop the next generation of Grand Masters!
A woman giving a thumbs up in a black t-shirt with the words "chess for beginners" gala on it.

Our North Stars

The Values that guide us

Our secret for producing great champions is finding trainers that share the same values and also bring their own unique traits to the table

1

Lifelong love and passion for the game

2

Putting the student needs first and foremost

3

Not to teach but to guide the students

4

Be the friend and mentor that encourages you in your learning process

Where Does the Name
"Chess Gaja" Come From?

In Sanskrit, Gaja means Elephant, a symbol of intellect, wisdom, and imagination, which are the qualities that we strive every day to share with our students in the academy. Fun Fact – Chathuranga, the ancient form of chess, had a piece called Gaja

Kickstart your guided chess learning NOW!

A white chess piece shaped like a light bulb used for chess training and coaching in online chess classes.
Join Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Newsletter

"Every chess Master was once a Beginner" - Irving Chernev

Contact

Join our WhatsApp Community

Copyright © 2024 ChessGaja