India, Sep 07: The clocks were ticking, the boards were set, and across them sat some of the biggest names in chess. 25 young chess players from Bengaluru and Chennai, aged 13 to 19, got the chance fulfill their dream and play against World No. 1 and five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen, Indian chess icon Koneru Humpy, Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi and Indian Grandmaster Pravin Mahadeo Thipsay at the YiPPee! Checkmate Challenge, held at ITC Windsor, Bengaluru.
Vivaan Sachdev was named the best player of the YiPPee! Checkmate Challenge by Grandmaster Pravin Thipsey, coach of the Alpine APL Pipers, after holding the strongest board position against three Grandmasters. For the other young players, it was a chance to step into an environment where every move mattered and put their own skills to the test. The challenge was about more than finding the right move. It was about holding their nerve, trusting their instincts and staying composed under pressure, bringing the intensity of high-level chess closer to a new generation of players.
Magnus Carlsen from Alpine APL Pipers said,
“It is always nice to see the joy that kids have in chess. The young players here were very good, and you could see the amount of energy and effort they brought to the games. It was great to see them get the opportunity to play and experience chess in this way.”
While the children walked away with memories that will last a lifetime, the event was equally special for their parents and coaches. Watching their children sit across the board from global champions such as Magnus Carlsen, Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh was a proud and gratifying moment.
Atul Pujar, Head of Marketing, Snacks and Noodles, Foods Division, ITC Ltd., said,
“It was wonderful to see the excitement and confidence of the young participants as they played against some of the biggest names in world chess. As a brand it is our constant endeavour to support and inspire young minds of India, and we are happy to have played a small part to bring these kids closer to their dreams”.
The opportunity was created through YiPPee!’s Cook. Share. Checkmate! contest, which ran from August 26 to September 2 across Bengaluru and Chennai. Chess enthusiasts aged 13 to 19 were invited to make a bowl of YiPPee! noodles and share a memorable chess moment, with 25 finalists selected for the Checkmate Challenge. The initiative is also part of #BeyondTheMove, YiPPee!’s campaign celebrating the passion, stories and experiences that go beyond every move on the chessboard.
