I spent 30 minutes with Goofy, Gukesh and other Grandmasters.

How did India become a global chess powerhouse? A country that once had almost no Grandmasters now has over 94… and one state has played a massive role in that rise: Tamil Nadu. From Viswanathan Anand to Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and a new generation of prodigies, India is experiencing a chess boom unlike anything before. But this didn’t happen by accident. In this video, we break down the real story behind India’s chess revolution — and why Tamil Nadu became the centre of this movement. From schools and chess academies to online platforms, livestreams, and a culture that deeply supports the game, this is the hidden system behind India’s dominance in modern chess. We explore how Viswanathan Anand inspired an entire generation, why Chennai became a major hub for chess talent, the sacrifices required to become a Grandmaster, and how YouTube and Chess.com made chess accessible to millions. We also look at why so many young Indian prodigies are emerging today and what the future of Indian chess could look like on the global stage. This is not just about chess. It’s about belief, systems, mentorship, and how one breakthrough can inspire millions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 👋 About Me: If this is your first time here, welcome! I'm Epaphra, a storyteller and content creator. This channel is built around one idea: the world is a system, and most of us were never taught how it works. Through storytelling, I break down the forces shaping your life. Money, power, behaviour, history, culture. Not surface-level. Not just for clicks. Research-backed stories made for an Indian audience that wants to actually understand things. If you've ever wondered why things are the way they are, you're in the right place. 📌 Follow me here: Instagram:   / explorewithepaphra   |   / thethirdlanepodcast   LinkedIn:   / explorewithepaphra   TheThirdLane Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/4q3YzOx... If You Liked This Episode… …then you might enjoy some of these books, tools, and gear I personally rate highly. Think of it like a friend’s recommendation list: 📚 My Favourite Books Dotcom Secrets: https://amzn.to/3EfySKd The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: https://amzn.to/40UJsPL Courage to Be Disliked: https://amzn.to/3WGtx4O 🎥 My Gear for Shooting this Video Sony ZVE1 Camera: https://amzn.to/3CyrSaS Sigma 24-70mm Lens: https://amzn.to/40HhxRU HollyLand M2 Microphone: https://amzn.to/4gktClJ Godox 100W Light: https://amzn.to/4gk7fNy Godox SoftBox 32 inch: https://amzn.to/40SNLel Tripod: https://amzn.to/40Z0zyP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps : 00:00 - Introduction 01:20 - How the Chess Revolution Began 02:10 - The Viswanathan Anand Effect 03:10 - What It Really Takes to Become a Grandmaster 05:14 - The Harsh Reality of Chess in India 10:20 - India’s Rise to Global Chess Glory