IMC India donates Rs. 5,00,000 to support Aarit Kapil's journey to the IM title

by Jyotsna Bhushan - 31/07/2026

In recent times, there has been a surge in corporate interest in promoting chess. Many companies now align with our mission to support talented players who are facing financial hurdles on their path to the top. Continuing this welcome trend, IMC India has once again stepped forward, this time donating Rs. 5,00,000 to the HelpChess Foundation. This scholarship amount will be given to 10-year-old Aarit Kapil from New Delhi to support his pursuit of the IM title.

A Gift With a Name Attached

Because of you, someone's burden is lighter. That line has defined every contribution to the HelpChess Foundation so far, and it holds just as true today. Countless chess players across India are extraordinarily talented but held back by financial constraints. Chess doesn't demand expensive equipment, but at the level where norms and titles are won, it becomes one of the costlier sports to pursue. Elite coaching, international travel, and tournament entry fees add up quickly, and not every family can absorb that cost. This is exactly the gap HelpChess Foundation was built to bridge, and our contributors are the ones who make that bridge possible.

Last year, when IMC India donated Rs. 1,00,000 to HelpChess through their "Make Your Mark" CSR initiative, the funds were channelled towards the Foundation's broader mission rather than one individual player. This time, the company chose a different, more targeted approach by directing the entire Rs. 5,00,000 donation towards a single talent: Aarit Kapil.

MC India came forward to support our mission of nurturing Indian chess talents. | Photo: IMC

This shift matters. When corporate donations are tied to a specific player, the impact becomes immediate and tangible. It's no longer a contribution to a cause in the abstract, and it becomes fuel for one child's very real, very demanding climb towards a chess title. For an emerging player like Aarit, this kind of backing can be the difference between chasing norms occasionally and chasing them consistently, with the coaching and preparation that elite events actually require.

As Indian chess continues to grow in popularity, more young players are entering the competitive circuit every year and with that growth comes a harder truth: talent alone isn't enough. Reaching the level where GM and IM norms are within reach requires structured, high-quality coaching, and that coaching isn't cheap. Add to that the travel costs of playing in the international opens where norms are typically earned, and it's clear why sponsorship has become such a crucial piece of the puzzle for India's next generation of titled players. We're grateful to IMC India for recognising this and for choosing to back a player directly this time around.

The Player Behind The Donation: Aarit Kapil

Aarit Kapil in action against Daakshin Arun at the Chola Chess Tournament.

So who is the young talent this donation will now support? Aarit Kapil, a 10-year-old from New Delhi, has already built a reputation as one of the most exciting young players in the country. He first drew global attention in 2025 when he held World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen to a draw in an online blitz game, a result that put his name on the radar of chess fans everywhere.

Since then, Aarit's rise has only accelerated. Earlier this year, he secured his first International Master norm at the Menorca Open 2026, scoring 5/9 and performing at a rating of 2453. Along the way, he defeated GM Kazybek Nogerbek and IM Aldiyar Ansat, while also holding GM Tiglon Bryce and IM Faustino Oro to draws, which was a remarkable set of results for a player who had just turned ten.

10-year-old Aarit Kapil from New Delhi secured his first International Master norm. | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Aarit is now 10 years and 10 months old, the same age at which Praggnanandhaa became India's youngest International Master. He is now chasing the record and hoping to become the new youngest Indian IM. The two have already crossed paths. Aarit recently met Praggnanandhaa at IIT Delhi, where Pragg was playing a series of handicap matches against other players. The two also spent time analysing positions together, making it a memorable experience for Aarit as he continues to develop his game.

Aarit Kapil and Praggnanandha at IIT Delhi.

This is precisely the stage where support matters most. A single IM norm is a milestone, but converting that into a title means playing more strong international events, absorbing more losses to learn from, and training with coaches capable of sharpening the fine margins that separate a 2450 performance from a 2500 one. IMC India's donation towards Aarit's coaching, tournament fees, and travel costs is aimed squarely at removing that friction, giving him the runway to chase his remaining norms without financial constraints slowing him down.

Why this matters for Indian chess

Stories like this reflect where Indian chess is headed. As the country produces more prodigies at younger ages, the ecosystem needs to keep pace, and corporate support, when specific and sustained, is one of the most effective ways to do so. When a company chooses to back a named player, it sends a clear signal: talent is being noticed, and it's worth investing in directly. IMC India’s contribution is a good example of how corporate involvement can directly shape the journey of an emerging chess talent.

Support the Initiative

As Indian chess grows rapidly, the number of players taking up the sport is rising fast, and so is the number who need financial support to compete at the level their talent deserves. If you would like to support Indian chess players, you can contribute via the HelpChess website.

If you would like to institute a scholarship or sponsor a player, write to us at chessbaseindia@gmail.com to discuss the details.

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