Young players from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu face some of the biggest names in world chess at the YiPPee! Checkmate Challenge
Bengaluru, September 7, 2026: For 25 young chess aspirants, it was a dream opportunity to sit across the chessboard from some of the biggest names in the game.
Young players aged between 13 and 19 from Bengaluru and Chennai got the rare chance to test their skills against World No. 1 and five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen, Indian chess star Koneru Humpy, Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi and veteran Indian Grandmaster Pravin Mahadeo Thipsay at the YiPPee! Checkmate Challenge, held at ITC Windsor in Bengaluru.
The event brought together emerging chess talent and global champions, giving the young participants an opportunity to experience the pressure, excitement and intensity of competitive chess at the highest level.
Vivaan Sachdev emerged as the best player of the YiPPee! Checkmate Challenge. He was recognised by Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay, coach of the Alpine APL Pipers, for maintaining the strongest board position while playing against three Grandmasters.
For many of the participants, the experience went far beyond winning or losing. Every move demanded concentration, confidence and composure as the young players faced accomplished champions across the board. The challenge offered them a close glimpse of high-level competitive chess while encouraging them to trust their instincts and perform under pressure.
Magnus Carlsen of the Alpine APL Pipers said it was encouraging to witness the enthusiasm and commitment displayed by the young participants.
“It is always nice to see the joy that kids have in chess. The young players here were very good, and you could see the amount of energy and effort they brought to the games. It was great to see them get the opportunity to play and experience chess in this way,” Carlsen said.
The occasion was equally memorable for parents and coaches, who watched the young players compete against internationally acclaimed chess personalities, including Magnus Carlsen, Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh.
Atul Pujar, Head of Marketing, Snacks and Noodles, Foods Division, ITC Ltd., said the initiative reflected the brand’s effort to encourage and inspire young talent.
“It was wonderful to see the excitement and confidence of the young participants as they played against some of the biggest names in world chess. As a brand, it is our constant endeavour to support and inspire young minds of India, and we are happy to have played a small part in bringing these kids closer to their dreams,” he said.
The opportunity was created through YiPPee!’s Cook. Share. Checkmate! contest, held between August 26 and September 2 across Bengaluru and Chennai. Chess enthusiasts aged between 13 and 19 were invited to prepare a bowl of YiPPee! noodles and share a memorable chess moment. From the entries received, 25 finalists were selected to participate in the Checkmate Challenge.
The initiative is also part of #BeyondTheMove, YiPPee!’s campaign celebrating the passion, personal stories and experiences that extend beyond every move on the chessboard.
For the 25 young players, however, the biggest takeaway was the experience of a lifetime – sharing the board with champions they had long admired and turning a childhood dream into reality.
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