Nihal Sarin Makes Bold Move, Trains with Gukesh’s Former Mentor: GM Vishnu Prasanna

In the Indian chess circuit, new collaborations between top talents and renowned trainers often signal big changes — and the latest partnership between GM Nihal Sarin and GM Vishnu Prasanna is no exception.

D Gukesh’s former trainer and current co-founder of Madras School of Chess, GM Vishnu Prasanna, began working with Nihal Sarin in March 2024. Nihal, widely respected for his brilliance in faster formats like blitz and rapid, is now aiming to sharpen his classical chess skills under Vishnu’s expert guidance. The primary focus of their work has been to improve Nihal’s classical rating in preparation for prestigious events like the FIDE Grand Swiss and the FIDE World Cup later this year.

GM Vishnu Prasanna – Shaping Champions

GM Vishnu Prasanna is celebrated for his deep strategic understanding and ability to nurture young talent into elite competitors. Most notably, he coached D Gukesh, the 2024 World Chess Champion, during his formative years, playing a pivotal role in Gukesh’s rise to global prominence. Under Vishnu’s mentorship, Gukesh built the foundation that would eventually help him achieve chess’s highest honor. Vishnu’s calm, analytical approach and ability to adapt training methods for each student have earned him the respect of players worldwide.

A Turning Point for Nihal Sarin

While Nihal’s speed chess prowess has dazzled fans, his results in classical formats have faced hurdles. Former trainer Srinath Narayanan told ESPN, “He has certainly stagnated. It is important to look forward, you cannot keep looking backwards. Stagnation is natural for someone so young at the elite level, but the next push can come only with confidence.”

That “next push” is exactly what Nihal hopes to find under GM Vishnu Prasanna. Their training sessions have focused on broadening Nihal’s opening repertoire, refining his calculation skills, and reinforcing his endgame techniques — all critical areas for consistent performance in classical events.

Recent Challenges on the Board

At the ongoing Chennai Masters, Nihal has experienced tough results despite finding promising positions in several games. He lost to Vidit Gujrathi after a collapse from a winning position in Round 3, gave away a winning advantage against Anish Giri in Round 2, and was defeated by Vincent Keymer in the opener — a game he was expected to draw. These setbacks underline the need for fine-tuning his classical performance, something Vishnu is determined to help him achieve.

Nihal Sarin scored his first win in the Chennai Grand Masters 2025, and in what style! Nihal took down India No.1 Arjun Erigaisi with the White pieces in the 4th round in a rollercoaster game. This hard-fought victory puts him at 1.5/4 points, showing that his new training regimen is beginning to bear fruit.

Madras School of Chess – Where Champions Are Made

At Madras School of Chess, we take pride in having world-class coaches like GM Vishnu Prasanna on our team. His track record of shaping players who go on to achieve international success — including a World Chess Champion — is a testament to the quality of training MSC offers. Whether you’re an aspiring beginner or an advanced competitor, MSC provides personalized training with FIDE-rated coaches and mentorship from elite Grandmasters and International Masters.

Train with the best. Be the next champion!

Join Madras School of Chess today and start your journey toward chess greatness.

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