Tata Group’s Role in Nihal Sarin’s Chess Career: A Heartfelt Tribute to Ratan Tata

The chess world mourns the loss of industrialist Ratan Tata, who passed away at the age of 86 in Mumbai. While many knew of Tata’s contributions to the chess community through tournaments like the Tata Steel Masters and Tata Steel India, few were aware of his impact on individual players like Nihal Sarin.

Nihal, a rising star in the chess world, revealed that the Tata Group played a crucial role in his early career. In 2015, when Nihal was just 10 years old and already showing promise in the chess world, the Tata Group offered him sponsorship without asking for anything in return. This support was a game-changer for Nihal and his family, who were struggling with the financial burden of international chess tournaments.

Before the Tata Group’s intervention, Nihal’s father, Dr. Sarin Abdulsalam, had to make the difficult decision to limit Nihal’s participation in international tournaments due to the high costs involved. However, a chance interview with a magazine journalist led to Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah stepping in to help the family find sponsors. Eventually, the Tatas reached out to the family and provided financial support for Nihal’s chess career for three years.

The impact of this support was profound, as Nihal soon achieved his first international master norm and continued his meteoric rise in the chess world. The story of Nihal Sarin and the Tata Group’s support serves as a testament to the power of mentorship and sponsorship in nurturing young talent and shaping the future of the game.