“Andhra’s Young Chess Star Samuel Stephen Noble Earns FIDE Candidate Master Title with Silver at Asian Schools 2025”
Thirteen-year-old Samuel Stephen Noble S, a budding chess prodigy from Anantapur, has brought pride to India and Andhra Pradesh by winning the Silver Medal in the Under-13 Boys category at the 19th Asian Schools Chess Championship 2025 held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. This outstanding achievement has earned him the prestigious FIDE Candidate Master (CM) title — a rare honour for a young player of his age.
A Medal Won Through Determination and Grit
With a FIDE rating of 2088, Samuel scored 7.5 points out of 9 rounds, finishing second after tiebreaks in a field that included some of Asia’s strongest school-aged players. His performance was marked by calm precision, deep calculation, and fearless play under pressure — qualities that define true champions.
This victory not only earned him the CM title but also reaffirmed his place among India’s brightest emerging chess talents.
A Journey of Discipline and Excellence
A student of Grade VIII at Narayana School (DNES), Anantapur, Samuel balances academics with an intense chess schedule. His current coach, Sri N.V.S. Rama Raju (RACE Chess Academy, Hyderabad), and his mentor, IA P. Hussein Babu Khan (Super Kings Chess Academy, Anantapur), describe him as “a student of rare focus and humility.”
Over the past few years, Samuel has won multiple titles that showcase his steady progress:
Champion – U13 National Schools Chess Championship 2025, Peddapuram
Winner – 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival 2025 (Below 2000 )
Champion – Andhra Pradesh State U13 Championship 2025, Machilipatnam
Champion – AP State Chess Championship 2024, Kurnool
Winner – V4 International Below-1600 Chess Championship 2023, Hyderabad
Each success has come through perseverance, self-belief, and quiet hard work — qualities that define his journey from a small town in Andhra Pradesh to the Asian stage.
Pride of Andhra Pradesh
The Andhra Chess Association (ACA) expressed pride in Samuel’s latest achievement:
“Samuel Stephen Noble’s Candidate Master title is a proud moment for Andhra Pradesh. His rise through the state ranking tournaments reflects the strength of our developmental system and the dedication of his family and coaches. With proper support, he can become an International Master in the near future.”
A Call for Corporate Adoption and Support
Despite his international success, Samuel’s journey has been largely self-funded. For the Asian Schools Championship in Mongolia, he received only complimentary accommodation, while travel, training, and logistics expenses were borne entirely by his family.
This reality underscores the urgent need for corporate adoption or sponsorship to help sustain and expand his participation in future global tournaments. Chess, unlike many other sports, offers limited financial backing at the grassroots level — and young talents like Samuel rely heavily on personal commitment and family sacrifice.
By adopting players like Samuel Stephen Noble S, corporate houses, CSR initiatives, and philanthropists have a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact — not just by supporting a player, but by investing in India’s intellectual sporting future. Samuel represents both talent and tenacity — the kind of potential that, when nurtured, can bring world titles to the country.
“Samuel is one of the most disciplined and hardworking students I’ve seen,” says Coach N.V.S. Rama Raju. “If given sustained exposure to international tournaments, he has every quality to become a Grandmaster.”
From Anantapur to Asia — and Beyond
Samuel’s story is one of quiet excellence and extraordinary willpower. At just 13, he has already made Andhra Pradesh and India proud. With continued guidance from his coaches and timely support from institutions or corporates, this young Candidate Master is poised to become one of India’s leading chess ambassadors in the coming years.
Congratulations from Andhra Chess Association
The Andhra Chess Association extends heartfelt congratulations to Samuel Stephen Noble S for his Silver Medal at the Asian Schools Chess Championship 2025 and for achieving the FIDE Candidate Master title. His dedication, humility, and perseverance are an inspiration to every young chess player in the state. The Association also appeals to corporate partners and well-wishers to come forward and support Samuel’s future international appearances through adoption or sponsorship, ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of this remarkable talent.
KV/-