Arav Padala: For many children, learning chess begins as a hobby or a way to spend time with family. For Arav, however, the journey started with a simple yet determined goal — he wanted to beat his father.
What began as a friendly challenge at home in Texas has since evolved into a serious pursuit of excellence, taking the young chess player thousands of miles away from home and into one of the world’s strongest chess environments: India.
Today, Arav is steadily building a reputation as one of the promising young talents in competitive chess, balancing his education with an intensive training schedule that reflects his growing ambitions in the game.
“I first started playing because I wanted to beat my dad,” Arav recalled with a smile. “At the beginning, that was my biggest motivation.”
As his skills improved, so did his passion for the sport. Recognizing his potential, his mother became one of his strongest supporters, encouraging him to pursue chess at a higher level and helping him take the next step in his development. That next step turned out to be a life-changing move.
Seeking stronger competition and better training opportunities, Arav relocated to India, a country widely regarded as one of the modern powerhouses of world chess. The difference, he says, was immediately noticeable.
“In the United States, most of my training was online and for shorter periods,” he explained. “In India, the training is much more intensive. I spend several hours every day studying and working on different aspects of the game.”
The structured environment has allowed him to immerse himself completely in chess while continuing his education in the eighth grade. Daily analysis, opening preparation, tactical exercises, and regular competition have become part of his routine.
Arav describes himself as a classical-style player, someone who enjoys strategic battles and positions that require patience and deep calculation rather than relying solely on tactical fireworks. The approach has served him well in tournaments both in India and abroad.
Among his most memorable experiences have been competitions in Europe, where he had the opportunity to face players from various countries and test his skills against different styles of play. Those events not only strengthened his game but also expanded his understanding of the international chess scene.
Like many young players, Arav draws inspiration from some of the sport’s biggest names. One player he particularly admires is Indian grandmaster and rising global star R Praggnanandhaa, whose achievements have inspired a new generation of chess enthusiasts.
“Watching players like Praggnanandhaa compete at the highest level is very motivating,” Aarav said. “It shows what is possible with hard work and dedication.”
Despite his young age, Arav has already set a clear target for the next stage of his chess career. His immediate goal is to earn the prestigious FIDE Master (FM) title, a significant milestone that would place him among the recognized elite players in international chess.
Once that objective is achieved, he plans to return to the United States to complete high school while continuing his journey in competitive chess.
For now, though, his focus remains firmly on improvement. Each training session, tournament, and lesson represents another step toward a dream that began with a simple desire to defeat his father across a chessboard.
Years later, that childhood challenge has transformed into a global chess adventure — one that is still only just beginning.
Also Read: Praggnanandhaa Stuns Magnus Carlsen Again, Climbs to Second Spot in Norway Chess 2026
