The Grandmasters Club: A Home for Every Chess Lover
What makes someone spend every vacation chasing chess tournaments across the world? How does a simple passion grow into a mission to bring more people closer to the game? From unforgettable encounters with world champions to the launch of The Grandmasters Club, this is the story of Lokesh Natoo's extraordinary journey and why he believes chess belongs to everyone.
Chess With Lokesh - An Accidental Start
I started capturing content when perhaps content was not born; yes, I am referring to 2019, Tata Steel Rapid & Blitz in Kolkata & then the Chennai Chess Olympiad in 2022, where I got 300-400 photos & videos, so I started my channel ChessWithLokesh on Instagram. Over the last 6-7 years, all my vacations and weekends have been invested in Chess events across the globe! From Anand Mahindra’s tweet on investing in chess, I could be part of Tech Mahindra’s Global Chess League before inception to all its 3 seasons and as I type, gearing up for season 4. I have been covering Norway Chess for the past 3 years since the tournament became 2X. I have attended all editions of Tata Steel India & Chennai Grand Masters! On world championships, I have attended Gukesh-Ding in Singapore, World Rapid Blitz twice, one in Uzbekistan & the other in Qatar! So yes, Chess has taken me to 10+ countries, and Chess is my biggest passion! Chess has given me a lot & I am grateful for that.
My Mission for Chess
Before I get to my mission for chess, let me share some beautiful memories with you all -
Vishy Anand Taking My Mobile
Anand’s 50th Birthday at my Home, 2019.
In 2019, Vishy Anand became 50; the same year at our home, we had put Ganpati decoration with the theme Vishy Anand. 2 pillars of his life - his mother and wife at base and you see all his biggest triumphs in photos. I showed this to him while my hand was shivering. He took the phone and explained every picture with a story. I was insanely happy.Walking with Henrik Carlsen
Walk with Henrik Carlsen, London 2024
His noticing me itself was a wow feeling. One evening while returning from the event, we had a walk and metro journey together. We spoke so much. His words are pearls, and they emit wisdom!Four Superstars in one frame -
I requested all 4 to come together before it’s too late!This was at Tata Steel Kolkata 2022; all 4 of them were in the hotel lobby doing timepass, and I gathered courage asking them to come together. I felt that soon they would all be very big, so it would be not only difficult to catch them, but all 4 together would be even more difficult. I had put a photo with the caption, "How many world champions in the frame?"
Being a hobby player, I have a limited understanding of chess, and I am far from being a technically strong player. My idea is to make chess more relatable and reachable via my content, Podcasts, articles, and so on. I wish to take this beautiful game to every person on the planet. I am sure whatever I can do, somebody else will pick from there and take it ahead. For this, there are several ways such as content creation, speaking, writing, organising, consulting for chess tournaments, and so on. Many of these roles I have been doing for the past few years across various chess events/initiatives.
Birth of The Grandmasters Club
I am starting The Grandmasters Club on 26th July 2026 in Mumbai. The only prerequisite is passion and curiosity for the game! I want to have meetups to talk about chess, play chess, of course, but not like a tournament with rating, etc. It’s ok if you don't know how pieces move & so on. The idea is to bring people under one roof to spend time around chess. Chess is often connected with intelligence, calculations, time management, pressure, decision-making, and so on. But chess can also be fun also. We can draw parallels to life, appreciate the game & its beauty! The vision is taking chess beyond the board. Let me tell you, how The Grandmasters Club will evolve would be epic; there are exciting ideas, novelties, exciting stuff that’s planned. One move at a time! Mumbai, here we come!
Inaugural Meetup on 26th July in Mumbai
Welcome to The Grandmasters Club, where Strategy of Board Rooms comes to Chess Boards! We are excited to welcome you to a community where chess is more than just a game: it's a way to connect, learn, compete, and grow.
If you love chess and know how to play - it's for you
If you don’t know chess at all - we will teach you
If you have forgotten some part - there is a refresher for you
If you want to talk about chess - all ears for you
If you want to discuss some chess topics beyond the board - we welcome you
If you are a professional player - will capture inspiring story of you
So it’s for all Chess Lovers, बुद्धिबळ प्रेमी; you need not be a player, coach or as such. Passion for Chess is the Passport for the Event!
Reserve your board by filling out this form.
As seats are limited, registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis! See you across the board on 26th July at 4 PM at Bayroute, Cuffe Parade for Chess Connect over light refreshments!
Bayroute, with its great ambience, awaits to welcome you!
Reserve your seat