15-Year-Old Jval Saurin Patel Becomes Gujarat's Youngest International Master

Hear From Jval

From receiving a chess set as a birthday gift to completing three IM norms in Hungary, this is my journey so far.

My journey in chess began when I was seven years old, when I received a chess set as a birthday gift. My parents taught me the basics of the game, and as they saw my curiosity and growing interest in chess, they decided to enrol me in a chess academy. That simple decision marked the beginning of my journey in chess.

Over the years, chess became much more than a hobby for me. I started participating in tournaments and gradually developed a passion for competitive chess. One of my first major achievements came in 2022, when I became the National Under-11 Champion in Haryana.

In 2023, I had some memorable international performances. I won the Commonwealth Chess Championship in Malaysia and also finished fifth at the Asian Youth Rapid Chess Championship in Al Ain, UAE. These experiences gave me confidence and motivated me to aim higher.

The journey towards the IM title

My goal of becoming an International Master became more serious as I started competing in stronger international tournaments.

1st Norm

I scored my first IM norm in November 2025 at the Vezerkepzo GM November Tournament in Budapest, Hungary. I scored 5.5/9 and secured the norm with one round to spare. The tournament was particularly memorable for me as I defeated GM Vojtech Plat, Chen Yining, and Chen Hongsen, and also drew against GM Baadur Jobava.

2nd Norm

My second IM norm came at the Sixdays July Chess Tournament in Budapest, Hungary, in July 2026. Once again, I scored 5.5/9, with victories over GM Adam Horvath, IM Thibault Dudognon and IM Sandeep Sethuraman.

Check out the final round game

3rd Norm

With two norms already secured and the rating requirement achieved, I only required one more IM norm in an open tournament. I played in the Kanizsa Open GM International Chess Championship in August 2026, where I achieved my third IM norm.

Check out the game

Completing the three norms was a very special moment for me. At the age of 15, I became the youngest International Master from Gujarat. It is an achievement that I am extremely proud of, but I also see it as the beginning of the next chapter rather than the end of my journey.

My coaches and supporters

I have been fortunate to have the support of several people who have played an important role in my development as a chess player.

I am currently training under Abhijit Acharya Sir, who has contributed significantly to my progress. I am also grateful to GM Swayams Mishra Sir, Siddhant Gaikwad Sir, and IM Anup Deshmukh Sir for their valuable guidance and support throughout my journey.

I am also deeply thankful to the Gujarat Chess Association for supporting me at every stage of my chess journey and for encouraging me to pursue my goals at the national and international level.

I would also like to thank Chola Chess for its continued encouragement and support.

Behind every tournament and every result are many hours of preparation, analysis, training, and, of course, the support of my family. I am thankful to my parents for believing in me from the very beginning and allowing me to pursue my passion for chess.

My journey in chess has also included setbacks. In some tournaments, I faced results that did not go as I had hoped. These experiences were disappointing, but they taught me to focus on learning rather than only on the result. I analysed my games, identified the mistakes I was repeatedly making, and worked on them with my coaches. I also learned to stay patient and composed after a difficult tournament instead of letting one result affect my confidence. These setbacks have helped me become more resilient and approach each new tournament with a fresh mindset and a determination to improve.

Looking ahead

Becoming an International Master at 15 is a proud moment, but I know there is still a long way to go. My next goal is to continue improving my game, compete against stronger players, and work towards achieving the Grandmaster title.

Chess has taught me many things beyond the board: patience, discipline, resilience, and the importance of learning from every game, whether I win or lose.

I started this journey with a chess set that I received as a seven-year-old. Today, I am an International Master. The journey has been challenging, but every challenge has made me stronger, and I am excited for what comes next.

ChessBase India wishes Jval the very best for his upcoming tournaments. May he continue to work hard, play brilliant chess, and achieve all his dreams!