18 August,2026 07:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal Ashar
Where there is skill, there is a way, shows Zaveri
India's cool moves on the global chessboard are getting attention. Praful Zaveri, FIDE trainer and chess educator from Mumbai, has been appointed as coach and team captain of the St Kitts and Nevis Chess Federation team for the 46th Chess Olympiad to be held in Uzbekistan from September 15 to 28, 2026.
This happened following a recommendation from IM Abhishek Kelkar, who had worked with the St Kitts & Nevis delegation during the 2022 Chennai Chess Olympiad. Impressed by Zaveri's educational work and chess curriculum (Zaveri has authored numerous books on chess), the Federation put their faith in Zaveri to guide their national team for the world's most prestigious team chess event.
Zaveri from Borivli said, "Although Indians may equate the Caribbean with cricket, chess has a growing presence across the region. Several Caribbean nations have active chess federations. Cuba particularly has a very rich chess heritage and has produced several world-class players."
Zaveri looks sharp at the board. Pics/NIMESH DAVE
Zaveri will coach the St Kitts & Nevis Open Section contingent comprising five players and is teaching online. "While training is online, I will then travel to Uzbekistan with this young team for the duration of the competition," he explained.
While Zaveri is realistic about expectations from a young team, his message is clear: to work hard, train, and not let setbacks stop one, "rook-ja nahin tu kahin haarke," he concluded with a laugh.
The Chess Olympiad is the most prestigious team competition in world chess and is described as the âOlympics of Chess.' The 2026 Olympiad has attracted 210 teams in the Open Section and 198 teams in the Women's Section.
Zaveri said, "Representing another country as its coach and team captain at the World Chess Olympiad is an honour and responsibility. I accept this with humility, gratitude and a commitment to give my very best to the team."
Saint Kitts and Nevis, an island country located in the Caribbean, consists of the two islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The capital, Basseterre, is located on the larger island of Saint Kitts. Nevis lies approximately 3 km to the southeast of Saint Kitts, across a shallow channel.
This appointment is recognition of Mumbai's contribution to the global growth of the game and a testament to the impact of Indian chess expertise on the international stage.
