Darpan Inani: A Visionary Chess Champion Defying the Odds

Darpan Inani: The Visually Impaired Chess Champion Who Sees Beyond Sight

Darpan Inani, a 30-year-old chess prodigy, has shattered barriers and redefined what it means to be a champion. Winning two gold medals at the Para Asian Games in China in October 2023, Darpan’s journey to success is nothing short of inspiring.

Born in Udaipur, Rajasthan, Darpan lost his eyesight at the tender age of three due to a rare condition. Despite facing numerous challenges, his parents never gave up on him. They enrolled him in a mainstream school where he excelled academically without ever using Braille, thanks to technology.

Discovering a passion for chess at the Blind Welfare Association in Vadodara, Darpan’s father introduced him to the game. From there, Darpan’s love for chess grew, and he began competing against sighted players, eventually becoming the first visually impaired Indian player to secure the top position in an international sighted tournament.

Balancing his academic pursuits with chess, Darpan’s dedication and hard work have paid off. His FIDE Elo rating stands at 1939, with a peak rating of 2135 before the COVID pandemic. Despite setbacks, Darpan’s resilience and strategic acumen have earned him accolades and recognition in the chess world.

Beyond chess, Darpan is a multifaceted individual. He has delivered TEDx talks, starred in an award-winning chess documentary, and is talented in music, having learned the harmonium and tabla. His philosophy in life and chess is simple: it’s about vision, not visibility. For Darpan, it’s not about what you see, but how you think and the boldness of your next move.

With his unwavering determination and inspiring journey, Darpan Inani continues to blaze trails in the chess world, proving that true vision transcends physical sight.