Harikrishnan A Ra
Chess Grandmaster from Chennai, India, with nearly 20 years of experience in competitive chess and international tournament play. Pursuing a Master's in Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the University of Texas at Dallas under the university's chess scholarship program.
Strong interest in building ventures at the intersection of chess, performance, education, and innovation.
Chess Career
87th Chess Grandmaster from India, earning the final GM norm at the 5th La Plagne Masters 2025, France.
Represented India at the Asian and World Chess Championships.
Bronze Medal — Asian Club Champions League 2026, Russia.
4× Gold Medal — All India Universities Team Championship (2021–2025), captaining SRM University's team all four times.
Won or finished top 3 in international events across Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Dubai, Malaysia, Slovenia, Croatia, and more.
FIDE Trainer — highest trainer title awarded by FIDE, held since 2022.
Countries represented India in international chess events — Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
Chess Coaching
With over 5 years of structured coaching experience and the highest FIDE Trainer title, I work with students at all levels — from developing players to serious competitors. My students have won national and international medals in age-category events.
I provide a structured training plan so you can make consistent progress between sessions. Coaching is available online, tailored individually or in small groups.
Positional & Middlegame
Deep understanding of pawn structures, piece coordination, and strategic planning in complex positions.
Practical Decision-Making
Training the thinking process under pressure — knowing when to calculate and when to trust intuition.
Opening Repertoire
Building a cohesive, personalised opening system that suits your style and long-term goals.
Endgame Technique
Converting advantages and saving difficult positions through precise endgame knowledge.
Tournament Mindset
Managing time, energy, and psychology across long events to perform at your best.
Structured Training Plan
A personalised roadmap so every session builds on the last, with clear goals between meetings.
Trained groups and individuals at leading chess academies. Also delivered guest lectures internationally.
Interested in training with a Grandmaster? Reach out to discuss your goals and find the right format for you.
Enquire →Academics
Recipient of a competitive chess scholarship at the University of Texas at Dallas — one of the leading chess programs in the United States, consistently ranked among the top university chess teams nationally.
Master of Science — Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Focusing on venture building and innovation strategy. Admitted under the university's chess scholarship program.
Master of Commerce (M.Com)
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
Alongside academics, served as chess team captain for SRM University for four consecutive years, winning the All India Universities Team Championship each time.
Work & Projects
Chess Grad Academy
Group and individual training for students across skill levels. Curriculum design, tournament preparation, and structured progress tracking.
Chess Thulir Academy
Delivered training sessions for competitive players. Students achieved national and international medals in age-category events.
Prime Star Sports Services
Guest chess lectures and training sessions for players in the UAE, covering strategy, openings, and the competitive mindset.
Chess Master Journey
Conducted specialised online and in-person sessions for the Malaysian chess community, focusing on practical improvement strategies.
SRM University Chess Team
Led the university's chess team to 4 consecutive Gold Medals at the All India Universities Team Championship (2021–2025). Managed team selection, tournament strategy, and player development.
Time2Chess Private Limited
Gained hands-on exposure to how a chess academy operates end-to-end — from student acquisition and coaching logistics to financial management, accounts, marketing strategy, and day-to-day operations. Developed a grounded understanding of the business side of chess education.
More entrepreneurship projects currently in development at UTD — building at the intersection of chess, education, and innovation.
Writing
My Lessons #1 — Overestimating the Opponent
One of the most common mistakes players make, particularly against higher-rated opponents, is overestimating them. Explore how to approach any game with the right mindset.
Sacrifice Now, Win Later — Long Term Sacrifices
Giving up material for a long-term edge is a high-level skill. Learn when and how these sacrifices work through annotated examples from top-level play.
Opening Ideas from Tata Steel Masters 2025
A breakdown of the most interesting and instructive opening novelties from Rounds 1–7 of the prestigious Tata Steel Masters 2025.
How to Avoid Time Trouble in Chess
Time trouble affects players at every level. Explore the root causes and practical techniques to use your clock effectively throughout the game.
Mastering the Isolated Queen Pawn (IQP)
The IQP is one of chess's most dynamic and debated structures. An in-depth guide covering strengths, weaknesses, and strategic ideas for both sides.
How to Prepare for Tournaments — A Complete Guide
Most players focus only on openings. This guide covers every critical area of tournament preparation — physical, psychological, and technical.
How to Use Calculation Books Effectively
Puzzles are everywhere — but most players use them the wrong way. A practical guide to maximising what you get from calculation training books.
Media
Harikrishnan A Ra
Wikipedia — Official encyclopedia entry on career, achievements and title.
Contact
Whether you're interested in coaching, collaboration, media, or just want to connect — feel free to reach out.