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`!Akshat Chandra`! (born May 28, 1999) is an American chess player.`:cite-ref-fide-akshat-profile-1-0[`F5bf`_`[1`#cite-note-fide-akshat-profile-1]`_`f]`:cite-ref-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2-0[`F5bf`_`[2`#cite-note-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2]`_`f]`:cite-ref-akshat-bio-uschesschamps-3-0[`F5bf`_`[3`#cite-note-akshat-bio-uschesschamps-3]`_`f] He started playing Chess during a visit to India in 2009 when he was nine years old.`:cite-ref-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2-1[`F5bf`_`[2`#cite-note-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2]`_`f] In 2015, he won the US National K-12 Championship and was also the US Junior Champion, the first time both titles were held by the same person in a single year.`:cite-ref-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2-2[`F5bf`_`[2`#cite-note-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2]`_`f] He earned the `F33f`_`[FIDE title`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=FIDE_title]`_`f of `F33f`_`[Grandmaster`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Grandmaster_(chess)]`_`f (GM) in March 2017.`:cite-ref-0-4-0[`F5bf`_`[4`#cite-note-0-4]`_`f]

>>Contents

• `F0af`_`[Chess career`#chess-career]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[Personal life`#personal-life]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[References`#references]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[External links`#external-links]`_`f

-─

>>Chess career

After learning chess from local part-time coaches, he began working with his first professional coach, the Serbian GM Predrag Trajkovic, in 2010, who worked with him for about 4+1⁄2 years until early 2014. Trajkovic exposed him to Soviet style chess, with a focus on positional understanding.`:cite-ref-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2-3[`F5bf`_`[2`#cite-note-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2]`_`f]

In January 2010, he received his starting `F33f`_`[FIDE`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=FIDE]`_`f rating of 1548. In May 2015 he crossed the 2500 `F33f`_`[Grandmaster`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Grandmaster_(chess)]`_`f (GM) `F33f`_`[rating`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Chess_rating_system]`_`f level in realtime rating, the fastest rating improvement in the world of this magnitude recorded in such a short time.`:cite-ref-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2-4[`F5bf`_`[2`#cite-note-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2]`_`f]`:cite-ref-akshat-bio-uschesschamps-3-1[`F5bf`_`[3`#cite-note-akshat-bio-uschesschamps-3]`_`f] This was achieved prior to FIDE's change of K-factor multiple effective July 2014 for players aged 18 and less, which inflated point gains.`:cite-ref-fide-k-factor-circular-summary-report-of-qc-council-meeting-june-2013-5-0[`F5bf`_`[5`#cite-note-fide-k-factor-circular-summary-report-of-qc-council-meeting-june-2013-5]`_`f]`:cite-ref-ratings-change-calculator-6-0[`F5bf`_`[6`#cite-note-ratings-change-calculator-6]`_`f] He represented India until 2012 before switching to the United States.`:cite-ref-nmi-7-0[`F5bf`_`[7`#cite-note-nmi-7]`_`f]

In April 2013, he won the K-9 Super-National championship.`:cite-ref-us-chess-life-june-2013-8-0[`F5bf`_`[8`#cite-note-us-chess-life-june-2013-8]`_`f]`:cite-ref-supernationals-2013-online-articlel-9-0[`F5bf`_`[9`#cite-note-supernationals-2013-online-articlel-9]`_`f] He was consistently ranked as the number one player in the US in his age category since 2013.`:cite-ref-10[`F5bf`_`[10`#cite-note-10]`_`f] At the age of 14, Chandra won the gold at the `F33f`_`[North American Youth Championship`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=North_American_Youth_Chess_Championship]`_`f, U-18 section, in Toronto, Canada.`:cite-ref-11[`F5bf`_`[11`#cite-note-11]`_`f]`:cite-ref-12[`F5bf`_`[12`#cite-note-12]`_`f]

Since April 2014, Chandra has remained the highest USCF rated Junior Rapid Chess player (U21) in the country.`:cite-ref-top-quick-under-age-21-13-0[`F5bf`_`[13`#cite-note-top-quick-under-age-21-13]`_`f]

In April 2015, Chandra won the highest Scholastic Chess title in the US–the National K-12 Championship.`:cite-ref-us-chess-life-july-2015-14-0[`F5bf`_`[14`#cite-note-us-chess-life-july-2015-14]`_`f]`:cite-ref-uschess-national-hs-title-2015-15-0[`F5bf`_`[15`#cite-note-uschess-national-hs-title-2015-15]`_`f] In July 2015, he became the US Junior Champion (Closed).`:cite-ref-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2-5[`F5bf`_`[2`#cite-note-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2]`_`f]`:cite-ref-uscf-junior-title-july-2015-16-0[`F5bf`_`[16`#cite-note-uscf-junior-title-july-2015-16]`_`f] This was the first time in US Chess that both the top Scholastic and the Junior titles were held by the same individual in a single year. In addition, Chandra was the 2015 National High School Blitz Chess Champion as well.

In the 2016 Saint Louis Autumn Invitational, Chandra achieved the six-day norm and completed his grandmaster title requirements.`:cite-ref-quest-to-gm-complete-akshat-earns-final-norm-in-saint-louis-17-0[`F5bf`_`[17`#cite-note-quest-to-gm-complete-akshat-earns-final-norm-in-saint-louis-17]`_`f]`:cite-ref-how-a-little-faith-and-a-move-to-st-louis-created-a-grandmaster-18-0[`F5bf`_`[18`#cite-note-how-a-little-faith-and-a-move-to-st-louis-created-a-grandmaster-18]`_`f]`:cite-ref-akshatchandra-com-19-0[`F5bf`_`[19`#cite-note-akshatchandra-com-19]`_`f] He was awarded the Grandmaster title in March 2017.`:cite-ref-0-4-1[`F5bf`_`[4`#cite-note-0-4]`_`f]

In 2018, he won the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) FIDE Open tournament. In 2019, he won the 13th annual SPICE Cup Open.`:cite-ref-20[`F5bf`_`[20`#cite-note-20]`_`f] He is the only player to have finished sole first in the top two US collegiate open tournaments - the UTD FIDE and the Spice Cup.`:cite-ref-akshat-chandra-21-0[`F5bf`_`[21`#cite-note-akshat-chandra-21]`_`f]

In January 2020, he tied for second place with a score of 6.5/9 in the Charlotte Open, held in Charlotte, North Carolina, tying with GM `F33f`_`[Cemil Can Ali Marandi`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Cemil_Can_Ali_Marandi]`_`f, GM `F33f`_`[Andrew Tang`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Andrew_Tang]`_`f, GM `F33f`_`[Ulvi Bajarani`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Ulvi_Bajarani]`_`f, and IM `F33f`_`[Aaron Grabinsky`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Aaron_Grabinsky]`_`f.`:cite-ref-22[`F5bf`_`[22`#cite-note-22]`_`f]

In December 2021, Chandra tied for 1st place at the 2021 Charlotte Open alongside Grandmasters `F33f`_`[Titas Stremavičius`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Titas_Stremavičius]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Cemil Can Ali Marandi`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Cemil_Can_Ali_Marandi]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Tanguy Ringoir`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Tanguy_Ringoir]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Robby Kevlishvili`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Robby_Kevlishvili]`_`f, and then-IM `F33f`_`[Christopher Yoo`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Christopher_Yoo_(chess_player)]`_`f.`:cite-ref-23[`F5bf`_`[23`#cite-note-23]`_`f]

>>Personal life

Besides growing up in the US, Chandra lived in India for a few years, and in Europe in 2012. When his family had relocated to India, Akshat was drawn to Chess.`:cite-ref-newsindia-making-of-gm-24-0[`F5bf`_`[24`#cite-note-newsindia-making-of-gm-24]`_`f] He is also a writer,`:cite-ref-quest-to-gm-blog-25-0[`F5bf`_`[25`#cite-note-quest-to-gm-blog-25]`_`f] and documented his journey from a beginner to Grandmaster level on his blog Quest to GM, which was then converted to a personal website.`:cite-ref-akshatchandra-com-19-1[`F5bf`_`[19`#cite-note-akshatchandra-com-19]`_`f] He was the youngest regular writer for `F33f`_`[Chessbase`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=ChessBase]`_`f, and contributed articles to the USCF official website.`:cite-ref-chessbase-akshat-26-0[`F5bf`_`[26`#cite-note-chessbase-akshat-26]`_`f]

He received the 2016 U.S. Chess Trust Scholar-Player award, sponsored by the U.S. Chess Trust and the National Scholastic Chess Foundation.`:cite-ref-27[`F5bf`_`[27`#cite-note-27]`_`f]

>>References

`:cite-note-fide-akshat-profile-1`!1.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-fide-akshat-profile-1-0]`_`f "Chess Profile". `*FIDE World Chess Federation`*.

`:cite-note-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2`!2.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-us-chess-life-oct-2015-2-0]`_`f `:citerefjeraud`aJeraud, Brian. "Suddenly Chandra". `*Chess Life, USCF`* (October 2015): 20–25.

`:cite-note-akshat-bio-uschesschamps-3`!3.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-akshat-bio-uschesschamps-3-0]`_`f "Akshat Chandra". `*US Chess Champs`*. Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.

`:cite-note-0-4`!4.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-0-4-0]`_`f "List of titles approved by the Presidential Board by written resolution". `F33f`_`[FIDE`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=FIDE]`_`f. March 3, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017.

`:cite-note-fide-k-factor-circular-summary-report-of-qc-council-meeting-june-2013-5`!5.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-fide-k-factor-circular-summary-report-of-qc-council-meeting-june-2013-5-0]`_`f `:citereffide`aFIDE, World Chess Federation. "Summary Report of QC Council Meeting". `*FIDE World Chess Federation`*.

`:cite-note-ratings-change-calculator-6`!6.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-ratings-change-calculator-6-0]`_`f `:citereffide-world-chess-federation`aFIDE World Chess Federation. "Ratings Calculator". `*FIDE World Chess Federation`*.

`:cite-note-nmi-7`!7.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-nmi-7-0]`_`f "Naurang Memorial Interantional FIDE Rating for School Students". `*ratings.fide.com`*. Retrieved May 26, 2024.

`:cite-note-us-chess-life-june-2013-8`!8.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-us-chess-life-june-2013-8-0]`_`f `:citerefmatthews`aMatthews, Melinda. "Supernationals V - Largest Rated Tournament in History of Chess" (June 2013): 34. `B100`F9d9{{cite journal}}`f`b: Cite journal requires `B100`F9d9|journal=`f`b (help)

`:cite-note-supernationals-2013-online-articlel-9`!9.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-supernationals-2013-online-articlel-9-0]`_`f `:citerefmatthews`aMatthews, Melinda. "Melinda's Swan Song to SuperNationals". `*USChess.org (US Chess Federation)`*.

`:cite-note-10`!10.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-10]`_`f "Top Age 16 Players in the US". `*US Chess Federation`*.

`:cite-note-11`!11.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-11]`_`f "Losing & Winning the North American Youth Chess Championship". `*Quest to GM`*.

`:cite-note-12`!12.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-12]`_`f "US Squad Bags Bevy of Medals & Norms in Toronto". `*US Chess Federation`*.

`:cite-note-top-quick-under-age-21-13`!13.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-top-quick-under-age-21-13-0]`_`f `:citerefus`aUS, Chess Federation. "Top Quick Under Age 21, April 2014". `*US Chess Federation`*.

`:cite-note-us-chess-life-july-2015-14`!14.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-us-chess-life-july-2015-14-0]`_`f `:citerefbarrera`aBarrera, Jorge. "Celebrating Spring Scholastics - The National High School Championship". `*Chess Life, USCF`* (July 2015): 20–24.

`:cite-note-uschess-national-hs-title-2015-15`!15.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-uschess-national-hs-title-2015-15-0]`_`f `:citerefbarerra`aBarerra, Jorge. "Quest to Columbus: IM Chandra Wins High School Championship". `*US Chess`*.

`:cite-note-uscf-junior-title-july-2015-16`!16.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-uscf-junior-title-july-2015-16-0]`_`f `:citerefwest`aWest, Vanessa. "US Junior Champion and Beyond: Akshat Chandra". `*US Chess Federation`*.

`:cite-note-quest-to-gm-complete-akshat-earns-final-norm-in-saint-louis-17`!17.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-quest-to-gm-complete-akshat-earns-final-norm-in-saint-louis-17-0]`_`f `:citerefus-chess-federation2016`aUS Chess Federation (December 7, 2016). "Quest to GM Complete: Akshat Earns Final Norm in Saint Louis". `*US Chess Federation`*.

`:cite-note-how-a-little-faith-and-a-move-to-st-louis-created-a-grandmaster-18`!18.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-how-a-little-faith-and-a-move-to-st-louis-created-a-grandmaster-18-0]`_`f `:citerefsaint-louis-public-radio2016`aSaint Louis Public Radio (December 2016). "How a little faith and a move to St. Louis created a Grandmaster". `*St. Louis Public Radio`*.

`:cite-note-akshatchandra-com-19`!19.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-akshatchandra-com-19-0]`_`f "The End of One Quest, The Start of Another". `*AkshatChandra.com`*. November 30, 2016.

`:cite-note-20`!20.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-20]`_`f "13th Annual SPICE Cup Open November 2019 United States of America FIDE Chess Tournament report". `*ratings.fide.com`*. Retrieved June 16, 2020.

`:cite-note-akshat-chandra-21`!21.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-akshat-chandra-21-0]`_`f `:citerefchandra`aChandra, Akshat. "SLU Chess Team". `*SLU`*.

`:cite-note-22`!22.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-22]`_`f "Charlotte Open - Chess Tournament".

`:cite-note-23`!23.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-23]`_`f "2021 Charlotte Open".

`:cite-note-newsindia-making-of-gm-24`!24.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-newsindia-making-of-gm-24-0]`_`f `:citerefdutt2015`aDutt, Ela (August 2015). "Akshat Chandra: The Making Of A Grand Master". News India Times. Archived from the original on December 19, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2015.

`:cite-note-quest-to-gm-blog-25`!25.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-quest-to-gm-blog-25-0]`_`f "Journey of Akshat Chandra from Beginner to Grandmaster". `*Quest to GM`*.

`:cite-note-chessbase-akshat-26`!26.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-chessbase-akshat-26-0]`_`f `:citerefchandra`aChandra, Akshat. "Author Chessbase". `*Chess Base`*.

`:cite-note-27`!27.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-27]`_`f `:citerefhoffpauir2016`aHoffpauir, Mike (March 25, 2016). "2016 Scholar – Chess Player Awards". `*US Chess Federation`*.

>>External links

• Official website

• Akshat Chandra rating card at `F33f`_`[FIDE`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=FIDE]`_`f

• Akshat Chandra rating and tournament record at `F33f`_`[US Chess Federation`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=United_States_Chess_Federation]`_`f

• Akshat Chandra player profile and games at `F33f`_`[Chessgames.com`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Chessgames.com]`_`f

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