Chasing dreams, raring to go: Telangana IM Dhruva poised for greatness

At 16, Dhruva is a fearless and dynamic player with deep positional understanding and sharp tactical ability

Hyderabad: Telangana’s IM Dhruva Thota has moved closer to realising the prestigious GM title, a dream for any chess player, having achieved a FIDE rating of ELO2411.

“Dhruva has consistently demonstrated exceptional talent, discipline, and strategic brilliance. His journey from a promising junior player to an International Master has been marked by dedication, rigorous training, and impressive victories in national and international tournaments,” his mentor Amithpal Singh said.

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“Competing against seasoned Grandmasters across Europe and Asia, he has earned critical norms and rating points, steadily moving closer to his ultimate goal of becoming India’s next Grandmaster,” he said.

“Dhruva, at 16, is a fearless and dynamic player with deep positional understanding and sharp tactical ability. His recent performances in strong international open tournaments have significantly boosted his rating and reinforced his potential to join the elite league of Indian Grandmasters,” said the proud coach at Maestro Chess Academy (Attapur) here.

“But, now, Dhruva badly needs financial support to keep improving in the big league, as it is a very expensive proposition to stay in the elite group of world chess,” he said.

“So, we appeal to the Government of Telangana, sports authorities, and reputed IT and corporate companies to extend sponsorship and financial assistance to this exceptional talent. With structured support under sports promotion or CSR initiatives, Dhruva can compete in the required international tournaments during 2026 and secure the remaining GM norms and rating milestones,” Amithpal said.

“As the chessboard awaits his next move, Dhruva Thota stands ready — determined, focused, and poised for greatness. With timely support, the dream of adding another Grandmaster to India’s proud chess legacy could soon become a reality,” Amithpal said.