Aronyak Ghosh Becomes India's 95th Chess Grandmaster After Family's Sacrifices
In a heartwarming tale of dedication and perseverance, Aronyak Ghosh has officially become India's 95th Chess Grandmaster following his outstanding performance at the 23rd BCC Open 2026 in Bangkok. The 22-year-old Kolkata native secured his third and final GM norm with an unbeaten score of 7/9 and a performance rating of 2584, marking the culmination of a challenging journey that began with a chance discovery in childhood.
From Dusty Chess Pieces to Grandmaster Title
The story began when Aronyak was just four years old. During his mother's routine cleaning session, he stumbled upon a box of old, dusty chess pieces that belonged to his father, Mrinal Ghosh. To the young boy, the black and white pieces resembled soldiers on a battlefield, and he began moving them across the floor, transforming the game of 64 squares into an imaginary warzone.
Mrinal Ghosh, who had played chess casually in his youth, watched from the doorway in silent astonishment. Seeing his son's innate fascination with the game brought back memories of his own younger days. That moment marked a decisive turning point, as Mrinal resolved to make chess an integral part of his son's life. Remarkably, the father was so inspired by his son's passion that he eventually began playing competitively himself, earning an official FIDE rating in the process.
A Long-Awaited Achievement
For the Ghosh family, this Grandmaster title represents far more than a sporting achievement. Aronyak had crossed the required 2500 ELO rating mark and achieved his first GM norm back in 2022. However, the final norm remained elusive for nearly four years, creating what his mother Sanchita Ghosh described as "a long, stressful wait."
"It is entirely a relief," Sanchita Ghosh told TimesofIndia.com from Bangkok in an exclusive conversation. "As parents, after leaving everything behind, even setting aside academics, this is a huge relief for us. It means that what we committed to has finally succeeded."
Financial Struggles and Sacrifices
Coming from a modest background, the Ghosh family faced extraordinary challenges that most would find unthinkable. Mrinal Ghosh, who later became a chess arbiter, often found himself selling off family belongings to ensure Aronyak could afford entry fees and travel costs for tournaments. With resources scarce, Aronyak grew up playing under unique pressure.
Unlike many of his peers who enjoyed corporate sponsorships, Aronyak understood that his ability to play in the next tournament depended entirely on his performance in the current one. "We didn't receive much financial support," Sanchita recalled. "Most of the time, we depended on his prize money to fund further tournaments. It was always reinvested."
She explained that at a very young age, Aronyak understood that winning prize money was necessary to keep playing. "He used to think that if he played too aggressively and lost, he wouldn't have the funds to continue. He had to make many sacrifices, which is why he couldn't play as many international tournaments as others."
The Journey Through Competitive Chess
Aronyak's first serious encounter with competitive chess came at the Under-7 Nationals, which proved to be a difficult experience. Without proper preparation, he struggled and felt overwhelmed. "After every round, he would ask about the opponent's state and rating. It was very stressful for him," his mother revealed.
The family soon sought out coach Sarbajit Adhikari, who helped Aronyak develop the stamina to sit for hours at the board. Later, he moved to the Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy and eventually to the Alekhine Chess Club around 2013-14.
It was at Alekhine Chess Club that he met Soumen Majumdar, affectionately known as Somen Da. Under his guidance, Aronyak adopted the rigorous training schedules typically seen in South Indian chess hubs, often practicing for eight to nine hours daily. Under the supervision of Durgaprasad Mahapatra and guidance from Soumen Majumdar, Aronyak's game matured steadily.
Somen recognized the family's financial struggles and provided coaching for free, even arranging sessions with top Grandmasters at his own expense. "Somen Da would have been the happiest if he were alive today," Sanchita said. "He didn't get to see Aranyak become a Grandmaster. He always used to say: 'do not just aim for 2500, aim for 2600.'"
Balancing Chess with Education
Despite his heavy focus on chess, Aronyak remained a student of South Point School from nursery through Class 12. He is currently pursuing a B.A. at Prafulla Chandra College and holds a job with Eastern Railway, which provides some much-needed stability.
Last month, Aronyak, who currently trains with IM Arghyadeep Das, secured his National Rapid title, followed by a third-place finish with the RSPB B team at the 45th National Team Championship. By the time he landed in Thailand, the "GM-in-waiting" tag was ready to be shed. His first norm came in Barcelona in 2022, followed by a second in France in 2024. The third norm in Bangkok finally closed the circle.
Chess as Primary Focus
For Aronyak, the Grandmaster title is not a finish line but perhaps a license to finally play without the weight of "next tournament's fee" hanging over every move. Sanchita Ghosh, a lawyer by profession who frequently travels with her son, makes the family's position clear regarding his future: "There's nothing else. He hasn't done anything else besides chess. It's not possible now to switch to academics. The time to build that foundation was already devoted entirely to chess. Chess is the primary thing. Everything else is secondary."
The journey from discovering dusty chess pieces at age four to becoming India's 95th Grandmaster represents not just individual achievement but a family's unwavering commitment and sacrifice in pursuit of excellence.
