Indian Grandmaster RB Ramesh Appointed Head Coach of Italian Men’s Chess Team

Indian Grandmaster RB Ramesh has been appointed as the head coach of the Italian men’s chess team by their national federation, with a contract that will run until the next Olympiad in 2026. This move comes as Italy aims to improve its performance in international competitions, especially at the upcoming Olympiad in Uzbekistan.

Ramesh, a Dronacharya awardee and mentor to young talent R Praggnanandhaa, will be tasked with nurturing and guiding Italian players to enhance their skills and elevate the country’s standing in the chess world. Italy, which finished 43rd in the Open section in the last Olympiad, currently does not have a player in the world’s top 100.

Speaking about the challenges ahead, Ramesh highlighted the differences in the chess environment between countries like India, China, and Uzbekistan, which have a strong pool of talented young players, and European countries like Italy, where the top players are older and the environment is less conducive for young talent.

Ramesh’s coaching prowess has been proven in the past, as he was the coach of the Indian men’s national team that won a bronze medal in the 2014 Olympiad, marking India’s first team medal in the competition.

The Italian federation is also investing in a new training facility where Ramesh will conduct training sessions once it is completed. This facility is expected to be ready by September, allowing Ramesh to travel to Italy and start working with the players.

In addition to his new role with the Italian team, Ramesh had previously signed a collaboration with the Romanian chess federation to train young players between the ages of eight and 14. This partnership resulted in Romania winning two gold medals at the European Youth Championships in September 2023. However, due to political turmoil in Romania, Ramesh’s association with the federation is currently on hold, with hopes of resuming coaching once the situation stabilizes.

As Indian chess continues to make waves on the international stage, with reigning world champions and a strong presence in the top rankings, Ramesh’s appointment as head coach of the Italian team adds another chapter to his coaching legacy. Stay tuned for updates on Ramesh’s impact on Italian chess and the team’s performance in future competitions.