Bengaluru: Earlier this month, a relatively unknown Indian chess player returned from Wijk aan Zee with a remarkable first-place finish. While Praggnanandhaa captured the prestigious Masters title in the Dutch coastal town, becoming only the second Indian to achieve this honor after Viswanathan Anand, Vedant Panesar, a 21-year-old from Andheri, Mumbai, who competed in the same venue, emerged as the top player in the Qualifiers. This accomplishment secured him a place in next year’s Wijk aan Zee Challengers.

Panesar claims to have achieved over a dozen International Master (IM) norms throughout his journey. Notably, despite having an Elo rating of 2446, he has opted not to pursue the IM title.

“I completed my IM title back in 2023, possibly in November or December. However, I chose not to apply for the title,” Panesar stated in an interview with HT. “I prefer to remain detached from results and concentrate solely on my development and the process. While an IM title could facilitate opportunities and assist in tournament participation, I was willing to forgo it. I have noticed that many players, particularly in Maharashtra, tend to either retire or transition to coaching after obtaining the IM title. Therefore, I resolved that the best approach to advancing in chess is to operate without a safety net.”

Panesar concluded the tournament in Wijk aan Zee unbeaten, finishing half a point ahead of his competitors with a score of 6/9.

“Wijk aan Zee was unlike anything I had ever experienced – a true chess village. It is a very small town, home to only a few thousand residents. There is little to explore, and the weather is quite cold and windy. Every café and every location is infused with chess culture. It is nearly impossible to encounter someone who does not play chess. Even my Airbnb host was a chess enthusiast.”

Although he has a full-time coach in Hungarian Grandmaster (GM) Krisztian Szabo, Panesar believes that his most effective training comes from spending significant time collaborating with his peers.

Prior to my time in Wijk aan Zee, I organized a training camp with several friends who are also chess players. They kindly agreed to come to my home, where we spent a week training together. I have noticed that when two players collaborate and practice together, it can significantly reduce the need for intensive coaching, as there is much to be learned from one another, fostering mutual growth. This method suits me well, allowing me to benefit from my peers' insights rather than relying heavily on formal coaching.

Panesar began his chess journey at the age of nine or ten in a rather unexpected manner. He eventually secured the Under-17 national title. “One day, my mother received a call about an opening in a chess class and asked if I would like to attend. I was reluctant to go to my tuition classes that day, so I agreed to try chess,” Panesar recalls with a laugh. “Initially, I was not very committed to it. I took a year off from chess during my Class X studies. It was only after completing my graduation that I dedicated myself fully to the game.”

He is now focused on achieving the Grandmaster title, having missed opportunities to earn a norm on a few occasions. One reason he opted not to pursue the International Master title is to maintain his motivation to become a Grandmaster, which he values most highly. He hopes to attain this title within the year.

“It can be quite challenging to make a living from chess unless you reach a certain level,” Panesar explains. “Fortunately, I now have a sponsor, Old Bridge Capital, a portfolio management services firm, which provides me with the freedom to cover my tournament and coaching expenses. This support allows me to play my natural, aggressive style without reservation.”

Panesar draws inspiration from the achievements and journeys of India’s leading young chess players. “I have known Arjun and Gukesh and have even faced Gukesh in a couple of matches. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to converse with them at Wijk aan Zee, as Arjun was not performing well in the tournament, and Gukesh was constantly surrounded by admirers.”

Aside from playing chess, coaxed by friends, Panesar has been creating short-form social media content about his chess journey. “Things like how I got here, my pre-game training routine. I post maybe one or two videos a month on Instagram. Sometimes I go for months without posting. But it has helped me build a community. I get a lot of messages of support before and after events. It’s still a very small account but manages to catch attention. It’s one of the reasons I guess I ended up getting a surprise invitation to Wijk aan Zee.”

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