Founder and Director
Our founder, Mr. Kapil Lohana is driven by unwavering passion for chess, a flame that ignited the creation of our academy. His commitment to the game goes beyond the board, fueling a journey marked by strategic brilliance and unparalleled dedication.
With an impressive international rating, he also holds the title of National Instructor from India. His coaching journey started around 2004. Later he held his first chess camp at BITS PILANI Institute, Rajasthan, in 2005.
Lacking the professional environment in Yavatmal, he shifted to Pune in 2006 to pursue his chess dream. The journey started on a high as he won the first tournament he played in Pune – the prestigious ‘Buddhibal Jallosh’.
In the same year, he joined the Symbiosis Chess School, one of the well-known chess coaching centers at the time, where he worked for a few years.
His teaching method soon started to bring great results. Many of his students started winning tournaments at various levels. Among them was a young kid who later became India’s 69th Grandmaster!
The word about his coaching spread quickly. By 2010, Kapil Lohana had established his reputation as one of the best chess coaches in Pune.
While analyzing what helped his students improve quickly, he uncovered 3 factors that he believes play an important role in the life of every sportsman:
To bridge this gap, Kapil Lohana started the Victorious Chess Academy in Pune in 2013.
A year later, he visited South Africa for the World Youth Chess Championship 2014 as the coach of one of his pupils. There, he passed the trainers exam conducted by FIDE (World Chess Federation) to achieve the title of National Instructor (NI) from India.
In 2015, he represented India as a coach at the 2nd World Chess Championship for the Disabled in Germany with his beloved student and dear friend, Late. Shailesh M. Nerlikar.
For Kapil Lohana, the words of his Physics teacher, Mr. Bhuse, are etched in his memory.
“Teachers use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross. After having felicitated their crossing, they joyfully collapse, encouraging the students to create bridges of their own.”
That summarizes his coaching philosophy. Today, he’s on a mission to build as many bridges as he can through Victorious Chess Academy.
GM Praveen Thipsay, one of India's earliest grandmasters and a recipient of the Arjuna Award, has been a pillar of Indian chess for decades. A commonwealth winner, and FIDE Senior Trainer, he has represented India at 7 Olympiads and coached legends including Viswanathan Anand. He is a passionate ambassador of the game at international level.
IM Sekhar Sahu, Odisha’s first International Master and India’s first FIDE Senior Trainer, brings over 40 years of experience. He has won 25+ national titles. Having coached Indian teams internationally, he has mentored several grandmasters and champions, earning immense respect across the Indian chess community.
FM Sauravh Khherdekar, a FIDE Instructor, has over 37 years of experience in chess and a peak rating of 2346. A winner of 10 All India Open titles, he has also coached top talents like Vidit Gujrathi and Raunak Sadhwani. His deep understanding of the game has helped shape many national champions over the years.
WIM Saloni, former VCA student and founder of Mind Over Moves Inc., is a sports psychology consultant and former international chess player dedicated to strengthening the mental game of chess. In collaboration with VCA, she supports players in developing focus, confidence and emotional resilience.
CM Snehal Bhosale is a seasoned coach and active player with a FIDE rating of 2270 and an IM norm. With over 12 years of coaching experience, he has trained players across all levels—from elo 1400 to 2100. Known for his structured approach, Snehal Sir helps players overcome specific weaknesses to achieve measurable improvement
WFM Nirupama is a 2 times Asian gold medallist and represented India at international level several times. She brings years of experience, guiding many students to achieve success in state and national level tournaments.
A Dronacharya Awardee, a writer and a Candidate master Raghunandan Gokhale has been a guiding force in Indian chess for decades. From coaching youth to empowering visually impaired players and grandmasters alike, his impact runs deep. Former chairman of key chess bodies and founder of AICFB.
With over 24 years of international playing experience and a peak rating of 2262, Candidate Master Deepak Katiyar brings both depth and dedication to his coaching. He is All India Civil Services Gold Medalist. As a trainer for 10+ years, he focuses on both technical and psychological growth to shape well-rounded chess players.
Dr. Pratik, rated 2224 FIDE and 2366 USCF, represented India at the World Youth Olympiad. He blends analytical thinking with deep chess insight, helping students strengthen their game through structured, thoughtful coaching.
Priyanshu Barua, rated 2009 FIDE (peak 2012), is a top-10 finisher in the U-17 School Nationals and winner of several rapid events. With 5+ years of coaching experience, he balances chess with academics, pursuing B.Com (Hons.) in Kolkata.
Atharva having 2011 peak rating, has won several rating tournaments in India. With over 5 years of experience, he has successfully coached students for state and national tournaments.
Developmental Instructor, Sameer Ghela, is one of the senior coaches at VCA. With having coaching experience of 10 years, he combines advanced knowledge with structured methods to build strong, disciplined players.
Gargi Sane, a national instructor, holds coaching experience of 12+ years. She believes chess is for everyone and enjoys making learning simple, fun and interactive for kids and adults alike.
Mr. Vaishnav (1618 ELO) brings 5+ years of chess experience. Known for simplifying complex concepts, he emphasizes principled play and uses engaging stories to make learning both memorable and effective for students.
Mr. Nikhil (1911 ELO) brings 15+ years of chess experience. Renowned for his tactical sharpness and endgame mastery, he helps students strengthen these critical areas to elevate their overall game.
Mr. Satyam Warude, rated 1881 ELO, who has won tournaments at the district and state level & has represented SPPU at the All India University Chess Tournament. With 7+ years of coaching experience, he has trained district, state, and age group national champions since 2016.
Mr. Yashwant (1715 ELO) has 5+ years of teaching experience. Known for his sharp calculation skills and sense of humor, he creates an engaging learning environment where students enjoy improving their game.
Mr. Kamaldeep (1681 ELO) has 5+ years of coaching experience. A consistent performer at State and national tournaments, he emphasizes calmness and meditation as keys to chess improvement.
Mr. Naveen (1613 ELO) brings 7 years of coaching experience. Known for his tactical prowess and prize-winning performances in FIDE tournaments, he guides students to sharpen their tactical skills and achieve competitive success.
Mr. Pranav Jagtap, rated 1605 ELO, is a former VCA student turned coach with 3+ years of experience. He focuses on helping kids master chess fundamentals and enjoys teaching endgames interactively.
Ms. B Akshaya is an international rated player with ELO 1582 points and a former VCA student turned coach. She has won many district-level events, despite learning the game late in her life. As a coach, one of the things she enjoys is answering tricky questions of the students.
Mr. Prathmesh (1580 ELO) has 3+ years of coaching experience. Known for his opening knowledge, he emphasizes the holistic development of students, ensuring they grow both as strong players and as confident thinkers.
Mr. Yash Ankaikar, a former VCA student turned coach with 4+ years of experience, has won various trophies. He enjoys helping students develop strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, mirroring his own learning journey.
Mr. Parth Ostwal is a trainer with over 4+ of coaching experience. He has won many tournaments at district level in his career as a player. He loves to engage with his students and see them grow.
Mr. Avinash Sukhwani, with over 3 years of coaching experience, is a favorite beginners' coach at the academy. Known for his excellent communication and unique teaching style, he enjoys passing on his chess knowledge to children.
To boost chess performance, we offer lectures, seminars, and thorough training in time management, stress management, and strategic thinking. Our teachers regularly brainstorm to refine coaching methods and track progress. Through regular testing, players pinpoint areas for improvement and focus their practice.
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