Indian Chess Stalwarts - Raghunandan Gokhale

A Mentor, Player, Visionary: Raghunandan Gokhale's Enduring Impact on Chess

Shri Raghunandan Gokhale is a distinguished Indian chess player and coach, celebrated for his significant contributions to the game, both as a competitor and mentor. His achievements have set a benchmark in Indian chess, earning him the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 1986, the first time this honour was bestowed upon a chess coach.

Raghunandan Gokhale's illustrious journey in chess reflects his excellence both as a player and as a mentor, and he holds the distinction of being one of India’s foremost chess coaches, guiding the nation’s chess talents to international acclaim. His achievements are wide-ranging, encompassing notable victories as a player, transformative contributions as a coach, and visionary leadership in inclusive chess development. He remains humble to the core without holding any expectations of any recognition, and at the same time continues to contribute to share his insights and chess wisdom through articles for regional newspapers.

Chess Chronicles : Career Highlights as a Player

1. Maharashtra Champion:

   • State Chess Champion, 1985.

   • State Rapid Chess Champion, 2009.

2. International Achievements:

   • Prize-winner at the Australian Open, 1986.

   • Success at the Dr. Wei Qui Cheong Memorial International Chess Tournament, Singapore.

   • Runner-up at the Major Open Section of the British Chess Championship, Dundee, Scotland, 1993.

His playing career showcased a unique balance of strategic acumen and adaptability, setting a high standard for Indian chess in international tournaments.

Accolades and Recognition

• Dronacharya Award (1988): Honored for coaching chess players at the highest level.

• Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar (1990): Awarded by the Maharashtra Government for his outstanding contributions.

• Conferred the prestigious title of "FIDE Trainer" by the World Chess Federation for his exceptional coaching credentials.

Contributions as a Coach

1. Guiding Teams to Success:

   • Coached the Indian Women’s Team at the Manila Olympiad, 1992.

   • Led the Indian Youth Team in Tehran (2006), securing an unprecedented 8 gold medals across all categories.

   • Accompanied Indian squads to the World Junior Chess Championships in the USSR and Singapore.

2. Mentorship of Champions:

   • Instrumental in shaping the careers of chess stars, including:

     • WIM Anupama Gokhale, youngest Padma Shri awardee (1986) and recipient of Arjuna Award (1990). She won India’s Women Championship five times in addition to representing India in three Olympiads and Asian Team Championship, winning team silver medal in 2005.

     • WGM/IM Bhakti Kulkarni, recipient of the Arjuna Award (2022) won the Asian Junior Chess Championship in 2011 and later participated in the Asian Women’s Chess Championship representing India and winning an individual Bronze medal (2009)

     • Prominent players such as GM Ankit Rajpara, Sumukh Gaikwad, Jayant Gokhale, Chandrashekhar Gokhale who are further grooming chess talent by coaching and mentoring students who are less privileged as well as those from effluent backgrounds. Their students have also won laurels by winning medals at National and International level tournaments.

     • Many players who have won National and Asian Juniors have at a phase in their Chess career received valuable guidance and mentoring for which they know they will remain forever indebted.

       
       

3. Inclusivity in Chess:

   • Founding President of the All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB).

   • Actively coaching visually impaired players since 1988, enabling them to compete internationally.

   • Trained India’s blind chess team for multiple world events, ensuring competitive excellence.

     
     

Leadership Beyond the Board

• Former Member of the Governing Council of Banks' Sports Board, furthering the integration of chess into institutional sports.

• A respected chess journalist, contributing columns that highlight strategies, iconic games, and upcoming talent, enriching the chess community with his insights.

  
  

Raghunandan Gokhale’s tireless efforts have transformed Indian chess, leaving a lasting impact on its players and institutions. His holistic approach to coaching—spanning elite players, youth development, and inclusive initiatives—positions him as an enduring figure in the chess world. From his achievements as a player to his unyielding mentorship of champions and underprivileged players alike, Gokhale exemplifies the transformative power of dedication to the game.

In next series, we will delve into the realms of Chess, real life lessons for young coaches and anecdotes in an exclusive interview with Raghunandan Gokhale.