From Nellore’s Heart to the Dream of Grandmaster – The Story of Hemal Varshan
In the fertile lands of SPSR Nellore district, where paddy fields sway in the coastal breeze and the Penna River quietly nurtures life, a young boy named Hemal Varshan is steadily crafting his journey toward the world of chess. Nellore, known for its rich cultural heritage, classical music, and scholarly traditions, is now also witnessing the rise of young minds who aim to shine in the intellectual sport of chess—and Hemal is among its brightest hopes.
At just 12 years old, Hemal, a 7th-class student of Dr. Kishore’s Ratnam School, Nellore, already boasts a classical FIDE rating of 1977, with rapid (1816) and blitz (1977) ratings to his credit. His talent was recently reaffirmed when he secured 3rd place in the Independence Cup Chess Tournament, Kakinada district, competing against some of the finest players of his age.
But behind these achievements lies an inspiring family journey. Hemal’s father, Mr. Chalapati Rao, hails from Kattuvapalli village in Doravari Satram mandal, SPSR Nellore district. Coming from a rural background, he became the first B.Tech graduate in Computer Science from his village, and for the past 18 years, he has worked as a software engineer. Yet, chess has always been close to his heart, a game he first learned from his school warden’s watchman, Narayana, during his student days.
During the pandemic, Chalapati began training his daughter, Janvi Tejini—now a rated chess player with a rating of 1495. Observing these sessions, young Hemal, without any formal instruction, stunned his family one day by pointing out a critical move that would have cost his sister a piece. That moment revealed his natural instinct for the game.
From there, his parents nurtured his interest. His mother, Jayalakshmi, a Group 2 officer working at the STO office in SPSR Nellore, played her part too—patiently teaching him how knights moved when he struggled in the beginning. Soon, with guidance from coach sri Ramaraju garu, and now under the mentorship of International Master Ravi Teja from Vijayawada for the past two years, Hemal began his professional chess journey.
His record speaks of persistence: Champion in U7 and U9 categories, two-time winner in U11, and two-time runner-up in U13 Andhra Pradesh State Championships. Though he has narrowly missed qualifying for Internationals several times, he still has one more chance in U13 before moving into higher categories. His consistency and steady rise mark him as one of the most promising young players from the state.
Supporting this journey requires sacrifice. Chalapati estimates nearly ₹10 lakhs per year is spent on coaching and tournaments. Yet, both parents remain committed, believing that Hemal’s growth is part of a larger collective rise of chess in Andhra Pradesh. “For a player’s professional growth, having contemporary equal-level competitors is very important. AP is now producing many such players, and this collective growth is a positive sign,” Chalapati says.
Nellore, with its blend of tradition and modernity, is becoming a nurturing ground for such talents. The same district that has given the state celebrated scholars, artists, and leaders is now seeing young minds like Hemal’s carry its name onto the global chessboard.
For Hemal, the dream is clear—to one day achieve the coveted title of Grandmaster. His journey from quietly observing his sister’s games at home in Nellore to standing on competitive podiums like the Independence Cup in Kakinada is proof that great beginnings often emerge from the simplest places. And for his parents, Chalapati and Jayalakshmi, it is a story of faith, sacrifice, and the quiet conviction that their son can bring glory not just to their family, but also to Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, and eventually, India.
KV/-