What this Kolkata class is
ChessWize is a live online chess class for children aged 5–15, offered to families in Kolkata. A named coach teaches on a video call and shared digital board; this is not an in-person branch.
ChessWize is online only and has no local centre in Kolkata.
Who the format fits
It fits families with a beginner through a rated player who can keep a recurring IST time agreed after the level check, want a group capped at six or a one-to-one lesson, and want one regular coach. It does not fit a family that needs a walk-in classroom in Kolkata.
Live Online Chess Classes for Kolkata Kids, Ages 5 to 15
Kolkata children grow up in a city that takes chess seriously. Bengal's chess heritage means the junior environment here is genuinely competitive, so casual lessons tend to plateau while better-prepared peers pull ahead. ChessWize runs live online classes for ages 5 to 15 with experienced coaches, in skill-matched batches of 4-6 similarly-rated students or one-to-one through the 1:1 Analyst Protocol. Your child keeps the same coach every session, and you get a weekly WhatsApp report, so the plan you choose in Salt Lake or Behala stays visible from your phone without a single cross-city trip.
The coaches are coaches who teach in real time: Hrdyansh Pandey, Tarun Gupta and Aryan Pal. The numbers so far: 1000 students coached and 1500 parents, plus a 5.0 rating across 21 Google reviews. Parents describe the change in plain terms. One mother told us: 'Month one was all about learning to lose without falling apart.' In her video, Ruby thanks Hrdyansh Sir for helping her son 'to understand each and every basic point related to the chess game'.
Before any money changes hands, our promise is on the table: 'Complimentary 30-min level check before you commit.' From there your child moves along a ladder with named stages: beginners finish complete games and use opening principles, intermediates stabilise tactical vision and read positional clues, and advanced students refine repertoire and strategy, with tournament prep and rating improvement for those chasing events. Batches run as synchronized 12-week groups, so progress is measured week by week rather than guessed at. And if a plan stops fitting your week, a Kolkata monthly plan allows a full refund if you cancel within 48 hours of enrolling.
Sessions sit inside coach availability windows in IST, Kolkata's own clock, from morning to evening, so a class can fit around school and homework without a school-night Metro or Howrah-side commute. The starter pack is ₹2,500 for 8 classes; regular plans after it run from ₹375 to ₹1,000 per class depending on the plan. Try the complimentary 30-min demo first: if the teaching suits your child, we build the plan from there.
Chess in Kolkata: Tollygunge halls and a city Grandmaster
Kolkata Zilla Daba Sangstha is listed at 128, Southern Avenue, 1st Floor, Kolkata: 700029. The WB State Under-9 Open and Girls FIDE Rated Chess Championship 2026 was listed for 28-31 May 2026 at P B Academic School, 63, MG Road, Tollygunge Karunamoyee, and chess-results called the open section a selection tournament for the National U-9 Chess Championship 2026. Tata Steel Chess India was dated 7-11 January 2026 at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium, 1, Thackeray Rd. Wikipedia lists Mitrabha Guha among sportspeople from Kolkata, and FIDE records the Grandmaster title on that player's profile.
Who runs junior chess here
- Kolkata Zilla Daba Sangstha. Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha lists this district body at 128, Southern Avenue, 1st Floor, Kolkata: 700029. [1]
- Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha. The All India Chess Federation affiliates list names this organisation, with Mr Dibyendu Barua as president and Mr Asit Baran Choudhury as secretary. [2]
- Alekhine Chess Club. The 2026 Under-9 prospectus names this club as organiser on behalf of Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha, at 26/5A, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700 019. [3]
Events a child from Kolkata can enter
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WB State Under-9 Open and Girls FIDE Rated Chess Championship 2026
28-31 May 2026 · P B Academic School, 63, MG Road, Tollygunge Karunamoyee, Kolkata-700041
Chess-results titled the Kolkata open section a selection tournament for the National U-9 Chess Championship 2026. [4][5]
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WB State Under-11 Open and Girls FIDE Rated Chess Championship 2026
11-14 April 2026 · Eastern Metropolitan Club, A-73, Purba Diganta, Santoshpur
SBDS listed this Under-11 FIDE-rated state event at Eastern Metropolitan Club in Santoshpur, a south-east Kolkata hall. [4]
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WB STATE UNDER-7 OPEN AND GIRLS CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP-2026
3-5 April 2026 · Eastern Railway Sports Complex, 1, Garalgachha Road, Alipore Mint Colony, Majherhat
SBDS listed this youngest state age band at the Eastern Railway Sports Complex in Majherhat, a first statewide date for the Under-7 group. [4]
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18th Inter School Fide Rapid Rating Chess Tournament
10-11 April 2026 · South Point High School, Kolkata
SBDS listed this inter-school FIDE rapid rating event at South Point High School, a dated school-team weekend in the city. [4]
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WB State Under-19 Open and Girls FIDE Rated Chess Championship 2026
3-6 September 2026 · Indus Valley World School, 488 EM Byepass, Near Peerless Hospital, Kolkata
SBDS listed this older age-group state event at Indus Valley World School, useful for a child still in the upper school years. [4]
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Tata Steel Chess India
Dated 7-11 January 2026 · Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium, 1, Thackeray Rd, Kolkata
The information page dates the 2026 event at this auditorium, a public Kolkata hall a family can note even though the listing is not an age-group entry form. [6]
Where to play
- P B Academic School. The Under-9 prospectus names P B Academic School, 63, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Tollygunge Karunamoyee, Kolkata-700041, near Tollygunge Metro. [3]
- Eastern Metropolitan Club. SBDS listed A-73, Purba Diganta, Santoshpur as the Under-11 state hall for 11-14 April 2026. [4]
- Eastern Railway Sports Complex. SBDS listed 1, Garalgachha Road, Alipore Mint Colony, Majherhat for the 3-5 April 2026 Under-7 state event. [4]
- South Point High School. SBDS listed this school for the 10-11 April 2026 inter-school FIDE rapid rating tournament. [4]
- Indus Valley World School. SBDS listed 488 EM Byepass, Near Peerless Hospital, Kolkata, for the 3-6 September 2026 Under-19 state event. [4]
- Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium. Tata Steel Chess India's information page names this hall at 1, Thackeray Rd, Kolkata as the playing venue for 7-11 January 2026. [6]
Players from Kolkata
- Mitrabha Guha. FIDE records the title Grandmaster, and Wikipedia categorises this player under Sportspeople from Kolkata. [7][8]
- Dibyendu Barua. FIDE records the title Grandmaster (GM). A 2021 Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha news heading states that this player is the first Grandmaster of West Bengal and the second GM in the history of Indian chess. [9][10]
- Surya Shekhar Ganguly. A Grandmaster on FIDE's list; Wikipedia records that this player was awarded Bangabhusan, the second-highest civilian award of West Bengal, in 2015. [11][12]
From online class to a first tournament
- Ask Kolkata Zilla Daba Sangstha at 128, Southern Avenue, 1st Floor, Kolkata 700029 how a child is placed into a city or state age section.
- For a player in the Under-9 band, read the 28-31 May 2026 prospectus for P B Academic School, Tollygunge Karunamoyee, which also names Alekhine Chess Club as organiser.
- A slightly older child can look at the 11-14 April 2026 Under-11 listing at Eastern Metropolitan Club, A-73, Purba Diganta, Santoshpur.
- Play rated games online at a fixed time each week, then rehearse notation and clock handling before a FIDE-rated state section in the city.
- The 2026 Under-9 prospectus required SBDS registration for 2026-27, and the Under-17 prospectus stated both AICF and SBDS registration as mandatory.
Good to know
- The Under-9 prospectus places P B Academic School near Tollygunge Metro, which helps with a school-day pickup plan.
- AICF player new registration and renewal are valid from 01 April to 31 March.
Sources (checked 2026-09-28)
- [1] SBDS affiliated district associations
- [2] Affiliates – All India Chess Federation
- [3] West Bengal State Under-9 FIDE Rated Chess Championship 2026 prospectus
- [4] SBDS state events calendar for 2026
- [5] Chess-results page for the 2026 West Bengal State Under-9 open section in Kolkata
- [6] Information – Tata Steel Chess India
- [7] Wikipedia page listing a Kolkata Grandmaster among sportspeople from the city
- [8] FIDE ratings profile (ID 5057000)
- [9] Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha news item on West Bengal's first Grandmaster
- [10] FIDE ratings profile (ID 5000025)
- [11] Wikipedia page on a West Bengal Grandmaster awarded Bangabhusan
- [12] FIDE ratings profile (ID 5002150)
- [13] West Bengal State U-17 Open and Girls FIDE Rated Chess Championship 2026 prospectus
- [14] AICF Payments – All India Chess Federation
Class times for Kolkata
Every window is quoted in India Standard Time (IST), which is Kolkata's own clock: there is no daylight-saving change to track, so the local time you see is exactly the IST time your child plays. Coach availability windows across the week run from 9:30 AM-1:30 PM and 10:30 AM-2:30 PM in the morning, through 11:30 AM-2:30 PM, 11:30 AM-3:30 PM, 12:30-5:30 PM, 1:30-4:30 PM and 2:30-5:30 PM around midday and afternoon, to 4:30-9:30 PM, 4:30-6:30 PM and 5:30-8:30 PM in the evening. Because IST never shifts, a slot fixed this term keeps its clock time all term.
Published weekly schedule in Indian Standard Time (Asia/Kolkata), as of 2026-09-05
Swipe sideways to see every column.
| Window | Family time | Coach time |
|---|---|---|
| Family-agreed weekly class | Recurring time agreed after the level check (IST) | The same IST appointment for the family and coach |
What Kolkata parents pay
Regular classes run from ₹375 to ₹1,000 per live class. The starter pack is ₹2,500 for 8 classes.
Prices are the INR list recorded in the pricing source as of 2026-09-29; unused sessions follow the published Refund policy.
Read the full courses and fees page →The coaching roster parents can check
No coach is assigned to Kolkata merely because this is a city page. These are the national roster details published in the coaching data; the demo confirms the actual match for a child.
Hrdyansh Pandey
Ages 5–15 · Foundation, tactical, and tournament-prep tracks
Languages: English, Hindi
Tarun Gupta
All ages · Curriculum design + senior cohort coaching
Languages: English, Hindi
Aryan Pal
Ages 5–10 · Beginner foundations
Languages: English, Hindi
What the curriculum covers
Four phases: learn the board and legal moves; finish a complete game; use opening principles; find basic tactics and endings.
Recorded programme results
As of 2026-07-13, the trust record lists 1,000 students coached and 1,500 parents, with 4 district finishers in a cohort of 12 and an average of 4 months to a first tournament. These are past records, not a promise for one child.
How classes run
Your child keeps the same coach in a supervised small group, and a parent can sit in on any lesson. Read the full policy on the child safety page.
At home you need a laptop or tablet with a webcam and stable internet. Classes run in the browser. Setup details are on the online chess classes page.
The first meeting is a free 30-minute level check. Paid classes start only after you enrol and agree a recurring time.
The four published commitments
- Same coach every session — no rotation
- Full refund within 48 hours of enrolling on a monthly plan
- Complimentary 30-min level check before you commit
- Weekly WhatsApp report for every student
Refund wording is on the refund policy.
Eleven checks to make before enrolling
Each answer below is tied to the section that carries its proof, so a parent can verify the detail rather than rely on a slogan.
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Check 1
Who teaches my child, and are they rated?
Classes are taught live by experienced coaches: Hrdyansh Pandey, Tarun Gupta, and Aryan Pal. Whichever coach takes your child, that same coach stays with them every session, so you always know who is teaching and how strong their own play is.
See coaches -
Check 2
How many children share the coach?
Batches are exclusive and skill-matched, with strictly 4-6 similarly-rated students in a synchronized 12-week group. Your child shares the coach with a handful of peers at the same working level, which keeps peer-play intense and feedback personal. Families who prefer the coach's attention on one child alone can choose the 1:1 Analyst Protocol instead.
See class size -
Check 3
Is there a real curriculum from beginner to rated play?
There is a real curriculum ladder from a child's first games to tournament preparation. Age tracks for 5-8, 9-12 and 13-15 sit alongside beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, plus tournament prep and rating improvement. Beginners finish complete games and use opening principles; intermediates stabilise tactical vision and read positional clues; advanced students refine repertoire and strategy.
See the curriculum -
Check 4
How will I know it is working?
You see progress in writing every week: a WhatsApp report for every student. It tells you what was covered in class and where the coach is focusing next, so you can follow the plan without playing chess yourself. Over months you also see it on the board: on average, a child reaches a tournament about 4 months after structured training begins.
See progress reports -
Check 5
Is it safe, and can I see the classes?
Classes are live and online, so your child takes them at home, on your own device, with you free to sit nearby: no academy hall, no commute, no venue drop-off. The coach teaches in real time and stays the same all term, and the weekly WhatsApp report tells you what each class covered.
Read safety policy -
Check 6
Can we try before paying?
Yes. You can try a complimentary 30-min demo with no payment first, and the level check is also complimentary: a 30-min level check before you commit. That means the coach sees your child's actual play before any plan is suggested, and you meet the teaching before paying anything.
See the level check -
Check 7
What if we stop?
If we part ways on a Kolkata monthly plan, a full refund is available within 48 hours of enrolling, then a pro-rated refund minus sessions attended until the 3rd session, after which the current month is not refunded though cancelling stops later billing. The demo is free, and if the week's timetable stops working you can pause and remaining sessions are kept.
See refund terms -
Check 8
Will the timings fit our week?
Yes, most weeks can absorb it. Coach windows run in IST, Kolkata's own clock, from a 9:30 AM-1:30 PM morning start through 11:30 AM-3:30 PM and 12:30-5:30 PM afternoon slots to 4:30-9:30 PM and 5:30-8:30 PM evening windows, so a class can sit in the morning, afternoon or evening. And because IST never changes, a slot fixed this term keeps its clock time all year.
See class times -
Check 9
What does it cost, exactly?
The starter pack is ₹2,500 for 8 classes; that pack rate applies to the starter pack only. After it, regular plans run from ₹375 to ₹1,000 per class depending on the plan. Those are two different prices for two different things, and the demo before either costs nothing.
See fees -
Check 10
Is there a path to tournaments?
Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha lists Kolkata Zilla Daba Sangstha at Southern Avenue. The Under-9 state championship was listed at P B Academic School in Tollygunge as a National U-9 selection. Ask that district body about later play, and check the chosen event's requirements. On average, students reach a first tournament in about four months.
See results -
Check 11
What do I have to do at home?
Very little, and it scales with age. Younger children do best with five to ten focused minutes: set up the board, show how one piece moves, or solve two familiar positions. Older children add puzzles and one slower game a week, saving the link or score sheet and bringing one honest question to class.
See home setup
Watch family videos
Poster, title, speaker, and a one-line summary from the testimonial record. Each card links to its review page.
See every class, not just the fee
Every ChessWize class runs on ChessCore, so you always know what your child is learning.
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Your own parent dashboard
A private page for each child: next class, attendance, homework and progress, in one place.
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Progress you can read
Puzzle accuracy and a rating trend once your child has played enough games, explained in plain words.
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Notes from the coach
After classes the coach shares what your child worked on and what to practise next.
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Attendance and makeups
Every class is logged. If your child misses one, you can see the makeup credit and book it yourself.
No screen recording, keystroke logging or device-location access · classes recorded only with your consent. How we handle your child’s data →
Written reviews from parents
Two parent reviews for this page, with a Kolkata-tagged record first when the source has one.
★★★★★
The resilience piece was unexpected — and the real win.
“We signed up for chess. What Ishita got was emotional self-regulation. Month one was all about learning to lose without falling apart. By month three she was analysing her own games after tournaments, pointing out where she'd blundered, calmly. Her results followed. But honestly, the composure is what I'll remember.”
Anjana Rao
Mother of Ishita (10) · Mumbai
January 2026
★★★★★
She used to cry after every loss. Not anymore.
“Anika was playing 'casually' on chess.com and hanging pieces every game. First month the coach just drilled Checks-Captures-Threats. The dashboard is what sold me though. I don't know chess, but I can see exactly what she covered each week. Her play sharpened on its own by week eight.”
Monika Iyer
Mother of Anika (11) · Kanpur
February 2026
Google reviews from ChessWize parents
Google rating 5.0 from 21 reviews; the stored set was pulled 2026-07-08.
Priyansh
November 2025
★★★★★
My brother started chess 6 months ago from beginner level and now he is in Intermediate level. Their 2:1 program is highly effective.
Read on Google →Anusha
December 2025
★★★★★
Chesswise Academy is an excellent place for kids to learn chess. The trainer is patient, knowledgeable, and focuses on building strong basics. Classes are well-organized and engaging. I can see good improvement in my child’s thinking and confidence. Highly recommend Chesswise Academy for chess learning.
Read on Google →priyanshu
December 2025
★★★★★
A perfect place to learn chess the right way. Excellent trainers, structured lessons, and amazing improvement.
Read on Google →Why the online format fits Kolkata
Kolkata families balance busy school weeks with extracurriculars like chess.
Live online classes give Kolkata families access to experienced coaches and a structured curriculum from home, without depending on the proximity of a physical academy.
Local chess context
Bengal's chess heritage means a genuinely competitive junior environment, so a planned, coach-led path helps your child progress steadily rather than learn in fits and starts.
Bengal's long chess culture means many children already see strong school peers; structured online lessons help a Salt Lake, New Town, or south Kolkata student move from club curiosity to a week-by-week plan that matches that heritage without another midweek crossing of the city.
Online and offline choices
Kolkata's offline chess culture is real and valuable when a trusted coach and peer group sit close to home. Online suits families stretched across north–south distances, those who want a six-student cap and a fixed coach, or those who cannot hold a hall slot through Puja and exam seasons. OTB events can stay local.
See class details, fees and safety information below.
Questions from parents in Kolkata
Which Kolkata body should we contact before a first over-the-board event?
Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha lists Kolkata Zilla Daba Sangstha at 128, Southern Avenue, 1st Floor, Kolkata: 700029. That district address is the local starting point. The All India Chess Federation affiliates list names Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha, with Mr Dibyendu Barua as president and Mr Asit Baran Choudhury as secretary, and a registered office at 91 A, Chowringhee Road, Kolkata-700020. For the May 2026 Under-9 event, the prospectus also names Alekhine Chess Club as organiser on behalf of the state body.
Which 2026 state age-group halls are listed inside Kolkata?
SBDS listed the Under-7 event for 3-5 April 2026 at Eastern Railway Sports Complex, Majherhat, and the Under-11 event for 11-14 April 2026 at Eastern Metropolitan Club, Santoshpur. The Under-9 event was listed for 28-31 May 2026 at P B Academic School, Tollygunge Karunamoyee, near Tollygunge Metro. The Under-19 event was listed for 3-6 September 2026 at Indus Valley World School, 488 EM Byepass, near Peerless Hospital. Read the matching prospectus for eligibility before you enter.
Is there a Kolkata school-team event on the 2026 calendar?
SBDS listed the 18th Inter School Fide Rapid Rating Chess Tournament for 10-11 April 2026, naming South Point High School as the hall. That is a dated inter-school rapid, not a weekly after-school club. Ask the school chess teacher whether the side is being entered, and confirm the notice for age rules. It sits in the same April stretch as the Under-11 state event at Santoshpur, so check which weekend your child can actually play.
Has Kolkata produced a titled player a parent can point to?
Wikipedia lists Mitrabha Guha in its Sportspeople from Kolkata category, and the matching FIDE profile carries Grandmaster. Dibyendu Barua and Surya Shekhar Ganguly also hold that FIDE title. A 2021 Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha news heading calls Barua the first Grandmaster of West Bengal. Wikipedia records that Ganguly was awarded Bangabhusan, the second-highest civilian award of West Bengal, in 2015. These are adult titles, not age-group results.
What is the cost of online chess classes for kids in Kolkata?
ChessWize starts from ₹375 per class for ages 5–15. Live 1:1 and batches of up to six run with the same coach each week, in English or Hindi, plus a weekly WhatsApp parent report. Monthly plans: full refund within 48 hours of enrolling, then a pro-rated refund minus sessions attended before the third session. After the third session, no refund for the current billing period; cancel to stop future charges. Term packages (3 or 6 months): pro-rated refund minus sessions attended within 7 days of enrolling. After 7 days, no refund; remaining sessions can be completed within the term. Try a free 30-minute demo with no payment first.
Do you have an offline chess academy in Kolkata, or only online classes?
Only live online classes — ChessWize has no physical centre in Kolkata. A coach teaches in real time and stays with your child. For families in New Town, Tollygunge, or Howrah who already spend evenings on school runs, that format is often easier to keep all term.
How does online training sit with West Bengal's traditional chess scene?
Online work builds calculation and opening discipline between the strong junior events Bengal already hosts. Your coach plans homework and game review so weekend boards are not cold starts. Small groups or 1:1 keep feedback honest; the WhatsApp report helps parents see whether the plan is landing between tournaments.
How does online training fit around Bengal's traditional chess scene?
Between the strong junior events Bengal already hosts, online work builds the calculation and opening discipline those weekends demand. Homework and game review are planned by the coach, so weekend boards are not cold starts. Small groups or 1:1 keep feedback honest, and the weekly WhatsApp report shows whether the plan is landing between tournaments. That weekly structure moves a child from club curiosity to a steady plan.
Which languages are the classes taught in?
Classes run in English or Hindi, so you can pick whichever your child is more comfortable thinking in. The coach stays the same every session, which matters for language: the vocabulary your child learns in week one is still being used in week twelve. If you are unsure, the complimentary 30-min level check is a low-pressure way to hear how the coach explains ideas before you commit to a plan.
Will my child have the same coach every week, or does it rotate?
Every class is taught by one coach who stays with your child for the whole term. There is no rotation system where different instructors appear week to week, so the coach who runs the level check is the coach who knows your child's games afterwards. If you ever want a different fit, say so: the 1:1 Analyst Protocol and group batches are both taught by the same coaches.
Is my five-year-old too young to start online chess?
No. There is a dedicated track for ages 5-8 that starts with helping the child feel at home with the board, builds safe move habits and ends with short complete games. At that age the home practice is short by design: five to ten focused minutes, stopping while the child is still interested, matter more than long drills.
What does my child need at home for the online class?
Very little: a device with the class open, a chess board, a notebook and the login ready before the session starts. A predictable setup stops a short lesson losing minutes to passwords or missing pieces. Younger children may need an adult nearby for the first few minutes, then they work directly with the coach on their own.
Does the weekly report help if I do not play chess myself?
Yes. The WhatsApp report is written for parents, not players: it shows what was covered and where the coach is heading next. One ChessWize parent put it this way: 'I don't know chess, but I can see exactly what she covered each week.' You never need to follow the moves yourself to know the plan is working.
When can my child expect to play in a first tournament?
Most children who train with that aim reach their first event within about 4 months on average. There is a dedicated tournament-prep track that rehearses event conditions and repairs the game plan before the date. Online classes mean the weekly training stays at home while the event itself can stay close to Kolkata, so a first tournament does not have to become a travel project.
Are batches grouped by rating or by age?
Grouping follows the working level rather than age alone. A batch holds strictly 4-6 similarly-rated students who train together for a synchronized 12-week term, so nobody sits bored or lost. The age tracks for 5-8, 9-12 and 13-15 then shape what gets taught inside that level.
How quickly will we see a change at home?
Changes show up in ordinary family life before they show up in ratings. Ruby, mother of a six-year-old, says in her video: 'Earlier he was not able to think rightly and take the right move'. Calmer thinking at the board is something you can observe at home. Calmer losses, longer thinking and voluntary practice at the board are the early signs most Kolkata families notice first.