Meet Ilamparthi AR, a whiz kid from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, now an accomplished 90th Grandmaster of India. He achieved this crucial milestone during the Bijeljina 2025 Chess Festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina and by doing so, he joined the elite list of India’s rising stars.
What makes this story special is not just the title, but the journey behind it. Ilamparthi’s tranquil personality, sharp focus, and fearless attitude have turned him into one of the brightest names in Indian chess today.
His Journey Towards Success
Ilamparthi’s climb to the top was filled with patience, dedication, and quiet determination.
He secured his first GM norm in December 2023 in a tournament held in Hanoi, Vietnam. This was his first big breakthrough and the moment people began to notice his natural composure at the board.
It was in 2024 that he went to Singapore for the International Open when he got his second GM norm, showing consistency at the international level. Soon after, he crossed the all-important 2500 Elo rating during the Rilton Cup of 2024–25, which brought him within touching distance of the title.
Finally, in October 2025, Ilamparthi obtained his final GM norm in Bosnia, becoming a Grandmaster at sixteen years old.
Behind the Success
Behind every champion, there is a strong support system, and for Ilamparthi, it was his family and coach.
He trains under Grandmaster Shyam Sundar, who describes him as a focused, hardworking student with “zero distractions.” Whenever he is in Chennai, Ilamparthi spends most of his time at the academy, practicing and continuously refining his game.
His journey was financially supported by scholarships and sponsorships that helped him in training and traveling. Even the Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri once gave away his prize money to support Ilamparthi’s chess growth, citing him as “a special talent worth investing in.”
Achievements So Far
Before becoming a Grandmaster, Ilamparthi had already had an impressive reputation for his achievements:
- Winner of the World Youth Chess Championship – Under-14 and WR Chess Juniors U14 (2023).
- Third place, secured after a close tiebreak, at the Slovakia Chess Open 2024.
- Champion of the Singh’s Gambit Rating Open 2024 with 7.5/8.
- Won the team gold and individual gold at the World Schools Team Championship 2025.
- Each victory was a building block for him, adding confidence, experience, and maturity to his game.
His Best Game so far
One of the most memorable performances from Ilamparthi came against the world-class player rated around 2670, Grandmaster Amin Tabatabaei.
Playing the Sicilian Defense, Ilamparthi showed remarkable courage and creativity. His deep calculations and confident decisions in the middle game left his opponent struggling to find a counter. Such as, at move 28 as shown in the image, Ilamparthi found the bishop sacrifice instead of taking the rook which would have ended in a disadvantage. This sacrifice allowed white to win black’s queen easily. These attacks were so powerful that the opponent resigned at move 32. It was a brilliant example of how young players are breaking barriers with fearless, modern chess.
For those who learn from games, this game is worth going over, move by move. It reflects Ilamparthi’s fighting spirit and tactical sharpness perfectly.
Lessons from Ilamparthi
At just sixteen, he stands shoulder to shoulder with the best in India, including Viswanathan Anand, D. Gukesh, and R. Praggnanandhaa. But somehow, this seems like only the beginning of an even bigger story.
At The New England Chess School, these stories, like Ilamparthi’s journey, inspire us and remind us of what passion and guidance can achieve. Our school offers expert tutors, personal coaching, and a friendly learning environment for players of all ages. Whether you are a beginner or a tournament player, we will help you build confidence, sharpen your skills, and enjoy every move you make.