Chess Journey
Apoorv Sanjay Kamble is a passionate and naturally talented player from Karnataka who combines intuitive play with solid tactics to surprise his opponents. He has an exceptional memory and phenomenal calculation skills, and is always ready for a game of chess regardless of the time, location or situation. His play is well regarded by many coaches and leading players across India.
He started learning at the Raja Ravi Shekhar (RRS) Academy of Chess at the age of five years and three months, and began playing regular tournaments in February 2016, aged six years and nine months. He now trains with the Lakshyan Foundation and Lakshyan Academy of Sports.
Apoorv's rise has not been uninterrupted. Having reached 1686 by the end of 2019 on the back of strong state, national and international results, he lost roughly eighteen months to the COVID-19 period and a personal health issue between March 2020 and September 2021. He returned with more determination, and climbed from 1679 in early 2022 to beyond 2400 by late 2025 — a gain of over 750 rating points in under four years.
Away from the board he is a strong student, scoring 94% in his 10th grade examinations in February 2025 despite taking several months away from chess, and he prefers to attend regular school and college whenever he is not competing.
Performed strongly across state and national U-7, U-9 and U-11 tournaments as well as international events including the Commonwealth Chess Championship, reaching a rating of 1686 by the end of 2019.
The COVID-19 period and a personal health issue cost roughly eighteen months of competitive play between March 2020 and September 2021.
Restarted from 1679 in early 2022 and won the Karnataka State U-13 Championship in Bengaluru.
Awarded the CM title in September. Won the Karnataka State Sub-Junior (U-15) and Junior (U-19) championships at Kalburgi and the Karnataka State Senior/Open Blitz championship in Bengaluru. Finished joint 3rd at the National Junior (U-19) championship in Ahmedabad and 16th — Best Junior — at the National Senior championship in Pune. Became the youngest title winner at the MDCC International Open in Madurai and took the Best U-15 player award at the 20th Delhi International Open GM Tournament.
Awarded the FM title in February. Beat five of India's leading players in a simultaneous match at the WACA event in May, and drew acclaim for his performance at the 1st Bangalore GM tournament.
Completed all three IM norms and the rating requirement between June and October at the Teplice Open and the 31st and 34th Chennai IM Norm events. Won the 31st Tamil Nadu IM Norm tournament, finished 2nd on tie-break at the 34th, and placed 3rd at the Budejovice IM Norm tournament in June. Title requirements were complete by November 2025.
The IM title was confirmed by FIDE in 2026. Apoorv is now competing in European events to build towards his GM norms, and reached a career-high standard rating of 2441 on the July 2026 list.
Significant Accomplishments
- International Master title awarded by FIDE in 2026
- Completed three IM norms and the rating requirement between June and October 2025 — Teplice Open, 31st Chennai IM Norm and 34th Chennai IM Norm events
- Winner, 31st Tamil Nadu IM Norm tournament; 2nd place on tie-break at the 34th IM Norm tournament
- 3rd place, Budejovice IM Norm tournament, June 2025
- Acclaimed performances at the 1st and 2nd Bangalore GM tournaments (2024 and 2025)
- Beat five of India's leading players in a simultaneous match at the WACA event, May 2024
- CM title September 2023, FM title February 2024, IM title requirements complete November 2025
- Joint 3rd, National Junior (U-19) Chess Championship 2023, Ahmedabad
- Winner, Karnataka State Sub-Junior (U-15) Chess Championship 2023, Kalburgi
- Winner, Karnataka State Junior (U-19) Chess Championship 2023, Kalburgi
- 16th place and Best Junior, National Senior Chess Championship 2023, Pune
- Best Emerging Player Award (above 2000 rating), 2nd Maharashtra International GM Tournament, Nagpur
- Winner, Karnataka State Senior/Open Blitz Chess Championship 2023, Bengaluru
- Youngest title winner, MDCC International Open Chess Tournament 2023, Madurai
- Best U-15 player award, 20th Delhi International Open GM Tournament 2023, Delhi
- Winner, Karnataka State U-13 Chess Championship 2022, Bengaluru
- Runner-up, Karnataka State U-11 Chess Championship 2019, Doddaballapur
FIDE Rating Progression
Apoorv's climb from 1679 in early 2022 to a career-high 2441 in July 2026:
| Period | Standard | Rapid | Blitz |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 2435 | 2384 | 2254 |
| August 2026 | 2441 | 2360 | 2249 |
| July 2026 (career high) | 2441 | 2349 | 2249 |
| March 2026 | 2431 | 2347 | 2249 |
| February 2026 | 2419 | 2347 | 2249 |
| November 2025 | 2396 | 2146 | 2247 |
| October 2025 | 2365 | 2124 | 2247 |
Full rating history and tournament calculations available on his FIDE profile.
Training & Education
- Began at the Raja Ravi Shekhar (RRS) Academy of Chess, aged 5 years 3 months
- Currently associated with the Lakshyan Foundation and Lakshyan Academy of Sports
- Scored 94% in his 10th grade examinations, February 2025
What's Next
Apoorv is competing in a series of European events through 2026 to chase the norms and rating needed for the Grandmaster title. International travel, entry fees and coaching at this level are the single biggest barrier for Indian juniors — and exactly what NAAV Foundation exists to fund.