MVM Velmohan: The Man Behind India’s Chess Revolution

Velammal School in Tamil Nadu has been making headlines recently for producing the youngest-ever Chess World Champion, D Gukesh. The man behind this success story is MVM Velmohan, the owner of the educational institution. Nearly a decade ago, Velmohan first saw Gukesh and was told by the chess coordinator that the young boy had the potential to emulate Viswanathan Anand.

Fast forward to last week, Gukesh made history by becoming the youngest Chess World Champion, defeating Ding Liren in Singapore. Velmohan, who has been a pillar of support for Gukesh, was present to witness this momentous occasion. As Gukesh returned to Chennai amidst a frenzy of media attention, Velmohan stood by his side, proud of the young champion’s achievements.

Velammal School has been at the forefront of promoting chess in Tamil Nadu, with 22 out of the 33 Grandmasters from the state coming from the institution. The school implements a special coaching program as part of its curriculum, with around 1,000 children enrolling each academic year.

Velmohan’s support extends beyond chess, as he sponsors students’ travel for competitions and provides free education, accommodation, and food. The school has also hosted world-class athletes for interactive sessions, inspiring young talents like Gukesh to reach for the stars.

Looking ahead, Velmohan has set a new goal for Velammal School – to produce a minimum of 50 Grandmasters by 2030. With the success of Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Vaishali, who were part of India’s winning Chess Olympiad team, the school is well on its way to achieving this ambitious target.

As the school plans a grand felicitation for Gukesh, the young champion is set to inspire a new generation of chess players, continuing the legacy of excellence that Velammal School has established in the world of chess.