A day at the academy
The uniqueness of shyam sundar’s coaching lies in its structured yet Fluid Approach, Covering All Aspects: Opening Theory, Practical Psychology, Psychology, and even game-day opponent assessments.Sessions often begin at 10 am and stretch to 5 PM, Including Rigorous Game Analysis and Situational Problem-Solving, with a one to one to one-Aand-A-AALF-Hour Break in Between.Post-Lunch, The Team often Heads Outdoors, Playing Cricket or Badminton: A Routine that Has Built Some Comradable Camaraderie within the Group.“Everyone’s equal on the turf. Ratings do’t matter there. We log, compete, and bond. That’s a huge part of the academy’s soul,” The coach adds.
Most Players Training Under Shyam Are Alroady Above 2300 Elo, Including Several International Masters and Grandmasters.Camps are typical conducted once or twice a month. DURING CAMPS, however, shyam builds a bit strket: “I usely conduct camps for specific rating brackets. Like, if I’m Doing it for 2400++ Players, I Rarely Include Slight Slight Slight Slight BOLOWS Only if they show strong potential. Even if the camp isn Bollywood rewarding, I prioritise mainting that high standard. “
More than a mentor
Shyam’s emotional investment in his students goes beyond the 64 squares as he adds, “I consider most of my students like my own kids.“I want them to play active, dynamic chess. No playing for draws.However, The Gen-Z MindSet, He Admits, Can Get ‘Tricky’.“With so much material online, they can get lost. My job is to channel that curiosity in the right direction, keep it structured and focused. Eveen after the camp ends, I continue mening They’re studies daily, what kind of chess content they’re consuming, ”Shyam explains.
“I’m really glad there’s no unhealthy competition in my academy. The players are more like friends.Challenges in Running an academyBut nurturing champions doesn’t come cheap. “Running an academy is extramely stressful,” Shyam confesses. “In Chennai, I Spend Around Rs 50,000 A Month Just For The Basics, Like Rent, Electricity, Wi-Fi. And if i’m travel for 30-40 days with a player, the academy earns nothing thor Heavy toll .s, I feel like giving up. “There’s also the growing pressure of expectations, with parents often demanding gm-only coaches for their kids, and trainers, tempted by better offers, Slipping Away.“Sometimes I feel like downsizing, moving full online, or just doing commentary or everything articles that would be far easy and finally rewarding.”A key factor in the academy’s sustainable success, however, is tamil nadu’s chess-friendly ecosystem. Many schools in chennai offer academic leancy, granting extra holidays and undersrstanding players’ Commitments, while also providing financial support to Prodigies.“When Gukesh Won the world championship, he was gifted a car by his school, “Shares shyam, who takes Solace in his students’ achievements despite the personal sacrifice of Spending Less with his Family.
“I miss time with my family, my Daughter’s four now, and I don’t get to see her hers.Also Read: RCB Fan Who Became a World Champion: The Story of Chess Prodigy Pranav v | Exclusive
What the future holds …
With his students Achieving Milestone after Milestone, SHYAM Remains Grounded in His Method: “In today’s ai-Dr. AI-Driven World, We’re Flooded With With COMPUTER-Genrated Ideas and Influencited BY Social Media. Like they say, even a genius mind can make elementary mistakes.
With a focus on creating more gms, the coach signs off with humility and hope: “My motto is simple: be good. Do good. Do good. God will take care of the rest. Just God prepaering me for somenting bigger. And if that ‘something’ means helping these kids believe champions, in chess and in life, then it’s all Worth it. “
