Rising Star of Chess: Indore’s Rishabh Kumar Shines with Silver at Commonwealth Championship
Indore’s Young Chess Prodigy Rishabh Kumar Shines at Commonwealth Championship
Indore, India – When six-year-old Rishabh Kumar first began mimicking his elder sister’s chess moves across a modest board at home, no one could have predicted that these playful sessions would lead him to an international podium. Fast forward seven years, and the now 13-year-old from Indore has returned from Sri Lanka with a silver medal in the Under-14 Open category at the Commonwealth Chess Championship, marking a significant milestone in his journey towards becoming a Grandmaster.
Rishabh faced formidable opponents from Malaysia, Australia, and Sri Lanka during the tournament, including Rajendrankartikeyan, Tay Mason, and S L Nawarthne. Each round presented a fresh challenge, but the young chess enthusiast held his nerve, ultimately securing the silver medal in the Commonwealth Under-14 Open.
Chess was never just a game for Rishabh; it was a passion ignited at home. His elder sister, Riddhi Maheshwari, a national-level competitor, served as his first inspiration. By the age of seven, Rishabh had already made his mark on the national circuit, clinching a silver medal in the Under-7 Nationals in 2019. Since then, accolades have continued to pour in, with Rishabh currently holding titles such as the Madhya Pradesh Under-13 champion and the IPSC Under-19 champion.
Reflecting on his experience in Sri Lanka, Rishabh shared, “My biggest learning from the Commonwealth Championship was that one mistake can change an entire game. I stayed patient in every round, and that helped me win the silver medal. Every tournament makes me stronger. My goal is clear: I want to become a Grandmaster and represent India.”
Behind Rishabh’s success lies a journey filled with dedication and support. His mother, Ruchi Maheshwari, has been a constant presence, traveling with him across the country, helping him navigate the ups and downs of competitive chess while ensuring he balances his studies. A diligent student of Mathematics and Science, Rishabh has also been recognized for his academic excellence, receiving Daly College’s Best All-Rounder award.
His father, businessman Pankaj Kumar, emphasizes that the family’s greatest achievement is not the medals but the values instilled in Rishabh. “People see the podium, but they don’t see the years behind it. There are early morning practice sessions, long journeys, difficult losses, and the challenge of balancing studies with tournaments. We’ve always told him that discipline matters more than trophies because trophies will follow discipline,” he said.
Rishabh credits several coaches for honing his skills, while his paternal grandfather, retired IPS officer Rajesh Kumar, instilled in him the importance of discipline and focus. His maternal grandfather, Lalit Patni, has been a source of encouragement, reminding him to persevere after defeats. Rishabh also closely follows the games of former World Champion Garry Kasparov, whom he regards as his biggest role model, studying his attacking style and mindset as he works towards his own Grandmaster dream.
The Commonwealth silver is just the latest addition to Rishabh’s impressive collection of state titles, national medals, and international rating points. For this young talent from Indore, however, the ultimate prize still lies ahead. Every move, every tournament, and every lesson learned is now aimed at one destination: earning the Grandmaster title and proudly representing India on the world’s biggest chess stages.