Nivaan Khandhadia (right), a Grade 8 student from Global Indian International School (GIIS) SMART Campus, has achieved a remarkable milestone in the world of international chess.
At just 13 years old, the prodigy secured the prestigious Candidate Master (CM) title after a spectacular performance at the Dr Szalay Janos Memorial U2250 Open in Hungary this April.
Competing against seasoned international opponents, Nivaan finished first overall. Along the way, he defeated two International Masters (IM) and a FIDE Master (FM), showcasing the kind of composure and tactical prowess well beyond his years.
“The CM title has been a big milestone for me,” said Nivaan. “It’s the result of nearly nine years of dedication and hard work.”
Nivaan’s tournament performance lifted his ELO rating to 2112, placing him among the highest-rated players in South-east Asia in his age group.
German Grand Master Milan Pacher said: “Nivaan’s ability to calculate deep, stay calm under pressure and play with purpose at such a young age is rare. He doesn’t just play chess – he thinks like a Grand Master in the making.”
Introduced to chess at the age of four by his father Rathin Khandhadia in Pune, Nivaan showed early promise. By six, he was already India’s youngest-rated chess player.
Today, he trains online under renowned coach Harsh Ganoje at The Chess Crew academy, dedicating three hours on school days and up to six hours on weekends to refining his game.
His list of achievements is long and impressive, including gold at the Singapore National U7 Championship and a bronze at the World School Chess Championship in Turkey at age seven.
Nivaan’s commitment to the sport is matched by his dedication to academics. He’s known for carrying textbooks to tournaments and revising between rounds. “He’s played five-hour matches and still makes time to revise his science chapters,” said Mr Rathin, who is also a director at GIIS and a licensed FIDE arbiter.
As Nivaan sets his sights on the next title – FIDE Master (FM) – his training now includes both on-the-board tactics and off-the-board preparation, such as stamina building, diet management and psychological endurance.
His father said: “Chess is as much a physical game as it is mental. He’s lost 10kg in the last five months and is following a strict diet to cope with the demands of high-level competition.”
Nivaan’s global chess calendar is being carefully curated. His upcoming plans include participating in top-tier tournaments across Europe – Amsterdam, Barcelona and Sweden – aimed at providing quality exposure without risking rating drops.
Despite the challenges of balancing studies and elite sport, the Khandhadia family is committed to keeping Nivaan’s academic path intact.
“We’re okay with a 10 percent academic dip as long as he never feels his passion was unsupported,” said Mr Rathin. “He used to be a school topper, now he’s in the top five. That’s good enough for us.”
Nivaan credits his success to a supportive environment at home and school. His mother accompanies him on tournament tours, ensuring he has proper vegetarian meals and a routine that keeps him grounded even in distant lands.
“I love reading, playing football, swimming and tennis too,” said Nivaan. “But chess is different. The longer the game, the more I enjoy it.”
