From Instagram DM to KBC: Mitrabha Guha’s Unique Journey to Success and Esports Glory
From Instagram DM to KBC: Mitrabha Guha’s Unique Journey
Kolkata, India – In a remarkable twist of fate, Mitrabha Guha, the 72nd Grandmaster of India, found himself on the hot seat of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) after receiving an unexpected invitation through an Instagram direct message. The 23-year-old chess prodigy not only participated in the iconic quiz show but also walked away with a prize of ₹4.8 lakh, describing the experience as “truly unique.”
As KBC celebrated its silver jubilee, producers sought to spotlight under-25 achievers from various fields, including sports. While top institutions like IITs and IIMs submitted their best candidates, Guha’s exceptional chess skills caught the attention of the KBC team. “Are you interested in coming to KBC?” the message read, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey for the young grandmaster.
Despite the initial excitement, the path to the KBC stage was not straightforward. Guha underwent several phone interviews before being officially invited to join the show. Reflecting on the experience, he shared, “It was quite surprising that I got such an opportunity directly. Shooting for four or five full days and playing in front of Amitabh Bachchan was very special.”
Guha’s triumph on KBC comes as he continues to make waves in the chess world. Currently in Italy as a coach for the Indian team at the World Youth Chess Championship 2026, he recently secured India’s last spot in the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026 chess tournament in Riyadh. This achievement follows his impressive performance at the Commonwealth Chess Championship, where he clinched a second gold medal.
In a competitive nine-round Swiss tournament, Guha finished with an impressive 7.5 points, remaining undefeated and advancing through the knockout stage to become India’s second representative, alongside fellow chess star Nihal Sarin.
Guha’s recent victories include defeating notable opponents at the Tata Steel Chess Festival 2023 Blitz Open, marking his second win in the event this year. As he balances his chess career with pursuing an MBA, Guha is set to face global titans like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura at the upcoming Esports Nations Cup in November.
With his unique journey from an Instagram DM to the KBC hot seat, Mitrabha Guha continues to inspire young achievers across India, proving that opportunities can arise from the most unexpected places.