Adani School Hosts ISSO National Games Chess Competition
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Adani International School, Shantigram, hosted the two-day ISSO National Games Chess Competition 2025 with over 370 participants from more than 80 schools across 10+ states. Inaugural ceremony graced by Mrs Namrata Adani, Promoter, Adani International School, along with addresses by chess stalwarts Bhavesh Patel and Grandmaster Ankit Rajpara. Chatrabhuj Narsee School, Mumbai, crowned Overall Champion; Indus International School, Hyderabad, named Runners-Up.
Adani International School, Shantigram, successfully hosted the ISSO National Games Chess Competition 2025, a two-day celebration of strategy, intellect and sportsmanship. The event brought together more than 370 student participants representing over 80 schools from across 10+ states of India. With over 650 attendees—including parents, coaches and supporters—the campus was transformed into a vibrant hub of competition and camaraderie.
Chess has been called the “game of kings” for centuries. Having more than 370 young players on one campus is a strong sign of how deeply this sport is growing in India. In the past decade, chess tournaments for schools have gained popularity because they sharpen problem-solving skills and concentration. Experts often say that children who play chess regularly perform better in subjects like mathematics and science.
The tournament featured four distinct categories—Under 11, Under 14, Under 17, and Under 19—ensuring meaningful opportunities for players at every stage of their chess journey. Across two intense days, participants demonstrated sharp strategy, skill and composure under pressure.
Breaking the age groups into four categories allowed fair competition. It also gave younger children the chance to learn from older and more experienced players. Such formats are important in school-level events as they allow gradual growth and encourage students to stay engaged with the game year after year.
The Opening Ceremony was graced by Mrs Namrata Adani, Promoter of Adani International School, whose interaction with students set a warm and encouraging tone. The young players were also inspired by Mr Bhavesh Patel, former Secretary of the Gujarat State Chess Association and Vice-President of the All India Chess Federation, and Grandmaster Ankit Rajpara, who shared insights from his own competitive journey.
Grandmasters like Ankit Rajpara are role models for the next generation. India now has more than 85 chess grandmasters, and that number keeps growing. Leaders like Bhavesh Patel have played a big role in building Gujarat as a chess-loving state. Their presence at such events shows students that chess is not just a school activity but can become a lifelong passion and even a career.
Indian chess is in the midst of a global renaissance, with a steady stream of prodigies like R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh and others—challenging the world’s best and securing India a firm place among the top chess nations. This surge of international success is rooted in the country’s thriving school-level ecosystem, where tournaments like this at Adani International School provide young players with early exposure to high-level competition. By nurturing talent through such platforms, India is building the pipeline that feeds into the world’s elite tournaments, ensuring that the next wave of champions emerges from classrooms and campuses across the country.
Today, India is ranked among the top 3 chess-playing nations globally. This rise has been powered by school tournaments, training academies, and the support of parents. Events like the ISSO National Games make sure that even small children can dream of becoming like Viswanathan Anand, D Gukesh, or Praggnanandhaa. The event reaffirmed Adani International School’s commitment to holistic education, where athletic excellence complements intellectual growth. The school’s thriving sports culture, supported through dedicated clubs, expert coaching and regular competitions, continues to nurture critical thinking, resilience and ethical conduct.
Adani International School has already become known for focusing on both academics and extracurricular activities. Sports like football, swimming, athletics, and now chess are being nurtured equally. This balanced education model helps students become confident in all areas of life, not just in exams. At the Closing Ceremony, medals were awarded across all four categories, with the announcement of the Overall Champion and Runners-Up marking the tournament’s highlight. Chatrabhuj Narsee School, Mumbai, was crowned Overall Champion, while Indus International School, Hyderabad, earned the Runners-Up title. Both these schools demonstrated consistency, focus and outstanding sportsmanship.
Winning this title shows the strength of Mumbai and Hyderabad’s school sports programs. These cities have invested heavily in promoting chess at the grassroots level. In fact, many top players like Nihal Sarin and Raunak Sadhwani also started at such inter-school competitions.
