In a deeply moving display of strength and determination, Indian chess prodigy Nihal Sarin captured the Rapid title at the prestigious 2026 Tata Steel Chess India tournament in Kolkata, playing through profound personal loss to honor the memory of his greatest champion.

The 21-year-old Grandmaster learned Thursday night that his 82-year-old grandfather, A.A. Ummar, had passed away. Ummar was the person who first introduced young Nihal to chess and remained his staunchest supporter throughout his rising career. The loss was devastating, and Nihal's first instinct was to return home to Thrissur immediately to be with his family.

It was Nihal's mother who provided the gentle wisdom that changed everything. She encouraged her son to stay and compete, suggesting that playing his best chess would be the most beautiful tribute he could offer to his achachan, or grandfather. With her blessing, Nihal made the courageous decision to continue.

The timing made the moment even more poignant. Nihal had only joined the tournament at the last minute as a replacement player when Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua called to invite him after D. Gukesh withdrew. Had he not accepted that eleventh-hour invitation, Nihal would have been home with Ummar in his final days. Instead, fate placed him on a chessboard where he could honor his grandfather's legacy in the game they both loved.

Why This Inspires

What happened next was nothing short of remarkable. Despite his grief, Nihal played with extraordinary focus and skill. On the second day of competition, he proved virtually unstoppable, securing three consecutive victories against top international players. His performance carried the quiet intensity of someone playing for something far greater than a trophy.

"It's a very emotional moment for me," Nihal said after clinching the title. "My grandfather, who introduced me to chess, passed away last night. He was the reason I started this journey, and he supported me in every way possible. I would love to dedicate this win to him."

The young champion described how even in his eighties, his grandfather would faithfully watch or follow his games online. "One thing I know for sure is that this is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do," Nihal reflected. "He would have wanted me not to lose focus on the tournament."

Nihal finished the tournament ahead of legendary Indian chess icon Viswanathan Anand, who graciously settled for a draw in their final round matchup, allowing the young star his moment of triumph. The victory represented not just exceptional chess skill, but the power of love, family support, and the beautiful way we can honor those who believed in us.

In choosing to play through his pain, Nihal Sarin gave his grandfather the most meaningful farewell imaginable: a championship performance that showcased everything Ummar had helped him become. It's a reminder that sometimes the greatest way to honor those we've lost is to keep pursuing the dreams they helped us discover.