Healing Through Chess: The Journey of a Young Survivor from the Tangra Tragedy in Kolkata

Title: From Tragedy to Triumph: The Inspiring Journey of a Young Chess Prodigy in Tangra

KOLKATA: In a heart-wrenching tale of resilience, a 15-year-old boy from Tangra is slowly reclaiming his life after a devastating family tragedy in February 2025. The young survivor, who lost his mother, aunt, and cousin in a shocking murder-suicide incident, is finding solace and strength through chess, a game that has become a beacon of hope in his recovery journey.

In February, the boy’s world shattered when police discovered the bodies of his mother, aunt, and young cousin at their Tangra home. The tragedy escalated when his father and uncle confessed to the heinous act before attempting to end their own lives by crashing their car into a Metro pillar. Miraculously, the boy survived the crash, but the psychological scars of that day lingered long after.

“When I first met him on April 2, 2025, at NRS Hospital, he was deeply traumatized,” recalled Joydeep Banik, a caregiver at Bekind Boys Home in Kasba. “He had witnessed unimaginable horror and was in acute depression, barely eating or speaking for months.”

Recognizing his love for chess, caregivers introduced the game as a therapeutic tool. As he engaged with the chessboard, the boy began to open up, slowly breaking free from the shackles of his trauma. “At times, I would talk to him while we played. It became a safe space for him,” Banik said.

With encouragement and support, the boy’s skills flourished. Banik arranged for him to train at Haltu Chess Academy, where he faced stronger opponents. His hard work culminated in a recent victory at a local chess competition held at Acropolis Mall, where he proudly received a medal from Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua.

“He was overjoyed to win, and so were we,” said Ananya Chatterjee Chakraborti, former chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights. “This achievement signifies more than just success in a game; it represents his resilience and determination to move forward.”

Finding a stable home environment was another crucial step in his recovery. Initially, child welfare authorities struggled to locate a family member willing to take him in. His maternal grandparents, who had also suffered the loss of their daughter and granddaughter, eventually stepped forward to foster him. “We were initially hesitant due to our age and health, but we couldn’t bear the thought of him being alone,” said the boy’s 78-year-old grandfather. “He brings joy into our lives, and we try to shower him with love.”

While his grandparents support his passion for chess, they emphasize the importance of education. “We want him to focus on his studies and become financially independent first,” his grandfather explained. “Our days are numbered, and we want to see him established in life.”

Now in Class IX, the boy has made remarkable progress, scoring 72% in his half-yearly exams after missing his Class VII annual exam. “We don’t dwell on his past; our conversations are about his present and future,” Banik shared. The teenager dreams of excelling in chess, studying accountancy, and one day becoming a CEO.

As he continues to navigate the complexities of his recovery, the young survivor of the Tangra tragedy is a testament to the power of resilience, love, and the transformative nature of community support. With each chess piece he moves, he is not just playing a game; he is reclaiming his life, one victory at a time.