In the remote village of Ratusinh Na Muvada, located in Gujarat’s Mahisagar district, an extraordinary movement is underway to nurture chess champions from humble beginnings. This settlement of approximately 100 households, so isolated that state transport buses do not reach it, has emerged as a breeding ground for state-level chess talent, with six young players securing prestigious International Chess Federation (FIDE) rankings. The driving force behind this remarkable journey is Sandip Upadhyay, a 45-year-old teacher at the village’s government primary school, who has been mentoring underprivileged children since 2022.

Upadhyay, who joined the school 25 years ago, was inspired in 2021 by a motivational book to leverage his own chess skills to transform the lives of his students. Teaching 100 of the school’s 138 students from kindergarten to Class 8, he has trained nearly 200 children, most from families of impoverished farmers and laborers. With 70 students now proficient in chess, Upadhyay has overcome significant financial barriers, using his modest salary to purchase chessboards, books, and clocks, and even covering travel and registration fees for tournaments. He has also secured small contributions from colleagues and villagers to ensure no child misses out due to poverty.

The teacher’s dedication has yielded impressive results. Fourteen students have been selected under the District Level Sports School (DLSS) scheme, gaining admission to schools in Vadodara and Botad, where they receive free education and advanced training until Class 12. In just four years, the school’s students have competed in nearly 25 state-level tournaments, including Khel Mahakumbh, securing top-three finishes in about 20 of them. Notably, seven of the eight students selected for state-level competitions in June 2024 were from Ratusinh Na Muvada. In March 2025, the school’s girls shone at the International Women’s Day Tournament in Ahmedabad, winning medals across multiple age categories, while students dominated a local tournament organized by the Narhariprasad Charitable Trust.

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Upadhyay’s innovative methods include showing students videos of international chess icons like D Gukesh and Magnus Carlsen, encouraging them to practice during recess, after school, and even during vacations. His efforts have been bolstered by corporate support, with a cement company donating 30 chess sets and clocks in March 2025. While the school has yet to make a national mark, Upadhyay remains ambitious, aiming to produce 50 Grandmasters and 10 World Champions from rural Gujarat.

Ratusinh Na Muvada’s chess revolution, driven by Upadhyay’s passion and perseverance, underscores the potential for transformative change in even the most underserved communities, proving that talent and determination can thrive anywhere with the right guidance.

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