Parent Feedback
Aarush is a 2nd grade student from Downingtown, Pennsylvania. He joined Olive Chess Club under the guidance of Mr. Piyush in May 2025. Before joining Olive Chess Club, he had learned chess at another place, but he was not very interested in the game and lacked motivation to continue. Since joining Piyush’s classes, we have seen a significant positive change in Aarush’s interest and approach towards chess. He now looks forward to every class and truly enjoys the fun, calm, and encouraging learning environment created by Mr. Piyush. Aarush has shown noticeable improvement in his strategic thinking, patience, confidence, and overall game understanding. He has started taking adequate time to analyze positions, plan his moves carefully, and play with greater focus and self-belief. The credit for this transformation goes to Mr. Piyush’s nurturing teaching style and his ability to make learning chess enjoyable and engaging. This supportive environment has helped Aarush build a genuine love for chess and grow steadily as a confident and strategic young player.

Coach feedback
Aarush is a sincere and promising young student, and it has been a pleasure working with him since he joined Olive Chess Club in May 2025. When he started, he had prior exposure to chess but lacked interest and motivation. Over time, I have seen a remarkable positive shift in his mindset and approach toward the game. Aarush now comes to class with enthusiasm and curiosity, and he actively engages in learning. He has shown steady improvement in his patience, strategic thinking, and overall understanding of chess. Most importantly, he has learned to slow down, analyze positions more carefully, and play with greater confidence and focus. What stands out about Aarush is his willingness to learn and his calm nature. With consistent effort and the right guidance, he has begun to enjoy the process of thinking and decision-making, which is essential for long-term growth in chess. I am proud of the progress he has made so far and look forward to helping him continue developing as a confident and thoughtful chess player.

Parents feedback
Vihaana Vineet is a 11 year old from San Diego, California. She i s a 6th Grader at Marshall Middle School, and has been a student of Coach Piyush for a long time now. H e has encouraged her to to b e persistent, which has i n turn helped her be better at the game over the years. Mr. Piyush has helped her build her confidence, critical thinking, and focus not only with Chess, but i n other aspects o f learning as well. Vihaana i s also a very creatively gifted child who can play multiple musical instruments, and loves music and art. She likes playing chess, crafting, painting, playing guitar i n her free time. Mr. Piyush i s very patient, really knows how to communicate with children, and pays individual attention to each child in his class. Vihaana finds chess a stress reliever, and the credit goes t o Mr. Piyush for his unique teaching approach.

Coach feedback
Vihaana is one of my favourite students and a truly special learner. From the very beginning, she has shown sincerity, discipline, and a genuine curiosity for chess. Over the years, her persistence and calm approach to the game have helped her develop strong analytical thinking, focus, and confidence. She approaches challenges with patience and maturity, which is remarkable for her age. Beyond chess, Vihaana’s creativity and positive mindset stand out clearly. She brings the same dedication to learning that she shows in her artistic and musical interests, making her a well-rounded and thoughtful individual. It has been extremely rewarding to guide her journey and watch her grow not only as a chess player, but also as a confident and balanced learner. I am very proud of her progress and look forward to seeing her continue to achieve great things.

Parents Feedback
As parents, it has been a joy to watch Anubhab discover his love for chess. He first showed interest in the game at the age of 7, learning and playing alongside his mother. From those early moments, we could see his natural curiosity, imagination, and enthusiasm—qualities that also shine through in his love for building with LEGO and playing creatively with friends. In 2024, Anubhab began formal chess training under the guidance of Coach Piyush, and since then, his growth has been truly remarkable. Not only has he progressed rapidly as a chess player, but he has also matured as an individual. Through Coach Piyush’s dedicated mentorship, Anubhab has learned discipline, emotional balance, and the importance of staying focused even during challenging moments—lessons that extend far beyond the chessboard. The bond between Anubhab and his coach is built on trust, respect, and a genuine eagerness to learn. He listens carefully, follows guidance with sincerity, and gives his best effort every step of the way. This commitment has translated into meaningful success in competitive play. We are incredibly proud that he secured 1st place in the 74th New Hampshire Open (U1100) and 1st place in the Connecticut State Championship (U800)—significant milestones in his young chess journey. This is just the beginning for Anubhab. With his passion for the game, strong work ethic, and continued mentorship under Coach Piyush at Olive Chess Academy, we are confident that he will continue to grow, remain consistent, and deepen his love for chess. Watching his journey unfold fills us with pride, gratitude, and excitement for what lies ahead.

Coach feedback
Anubhab is an exceptional young talent and a student I am genuinely proud to mentor. From the time he began formal training with me in 2024, he has shown a deep curiosity for chess, a strong imagination, and an eagerness to learn that sets him apart. He approaches every lesson with sincerity and brings positive energy and focus to each session. Over time, Anubhab has grown not only as a chess player but also as an individual. He has developed discipline, emotional balance, and the ability to stay composed and thoughtful during challenging positions. His willingness to listen, trust the process, and apply feedback consistently has been a key factor in his rapid progress. Anubhab’s dedication has translated into strong competitive performances, including securing 1st place at the 74th New Hampshire Open (U1100) and 1st place at the Connecticut State Championship (U800). These achievements reflect his hard work, structured preparation, and commitment to continuous improvement. What I value most about Anubhab is his attitude—he learns with humility, competes with confidence, and genuinely enjoys the game. With his passion, discipline, and continued guidance at Olive Chess Club, I am confident that this is only the beginning of a long and rewarding chess journey for him. I look forward to supporting his growth and seeing him reach even greater milestones ahead.

Full name: Rama Sainath Karuturi
Rama Sainath Karuturi is a 4th-grade student from Trinity Gardens School, Adelaide. He joined the Olive Chess Club last December, and since then we’ve seen remarkable growth in his thinking and overall gameplay. His interest in chess has also increased significantly. A big part of this progress goes to his supportive teacher, Mr. Piyush, who creates a fun and relaxed learning environment. This has helped Rama enjoy the game even more, learn with ease, and steadily develop his chess skills. In his free time, Rama loves swimming, Cricket, building legos, and playing fortnight on his Nintendo switch.
Coach feedback
Rama Sainath Karuturi from Trinity Gardens School, Adelaide, has shown incredible growth since joining Olive Chess Club last December—his strategic thinking, tactical awareness, and overall confidence have improved remarkably under our fun, relaxed sessions. As his coach, Piyush, I’ve loved seeing his enthusiasm soar, thanks to his positive attitude, attentiveness, and resilience, which help him grasp openings, middlegame plans, and threat spotting with ease. Balancing chess with swimming, cricket, Lego, and Fortnite, Rama is a well-rounded talent; keep up the practice and tournaments for even greater success!

Full Name: STEFFY SAM GEORGE
Steffy is an eager 12 year old who has been actively involved in learning chess under coach Piyush. She has really enjoyed being mentored under Piyush Sir the last 1.5 years. The classes and the practise sessions under his guidance have helped her to build confidence and focus.
We really appreciate Piyush Sir for enthusiasm and support that has been extended to Steffy. Your guidance has really made a difference. It has made her to be a better player and a sharper thinker.
The influence of a great coach can never be erased.Thank you for being a great one!!!

Coach feedback
Steffy Sam George, our enthusiastic 12-year-old chess student, has shown tremendous growth over the past 1.5 years at Olive Chess Club, building remarkable confidence, focus, and strategic sharpness through dedicated classes and practice. As her coach Piyush, I’ve been inspired by her eagerness, consistent progress in gameplay, and positive energy in every session—it’s a joy to mentor such a committed young player. Thank you for your unwavering support as parents; Steffy’s journey reflects the power of great teamwork, and with continued practice, she’ll excel even further as a thinker and competitor!

Full name: Riyyan Nandan
Riyyan Nandan is a second-grade student from Fort Mill, South Carolina, and has been learning chess under the guidance of Mr. Piyush Khurana (“Piyush Sir”). He has shown steady improvement in his thinking, focus, and decision-making skills. He is learning to take adequate time to analyze positions and make thoughtful moves. Much of this progress is due to Mr. Piyush’s patient and encouraging teaching style, as well as the positive and engaging environment he creates in class.
Riyyan is doing well academically and is a disciplined, attentive child. He actively participates in extracurricular activities and especially enjoys playing soccer. His interest in both chess and sports contributes positively to his overall growth and development.
Coach feedback
Riyyan Nandan, a bright second-grade student from Fort Mill, South Carolina, has made steady and impressive progress in chess since joining Olive Chess Club, showing enhanced thinking, focus, and decision-making by learning to analyze positions thoughtfully and make smarter moves. As his coach Piyush Khurana, I’ve been delighted by his discipline, attentiveness, and active participation in our patient, engaging classes, where he thrives in the positive environment we create together. Balancing chess with his love for soccer and strong academics, Riyyan is a well-rounded talent—keep supporting his practice, and he’ll continue growing into an even sharper thinker and player!

Parent’s Brief
Full name: Partha Sarathi Samal
Nistha is a 5th grader from Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and has been learning chess with Mr. Piyush Khurana (“Piyush Sir”) for the past five years. During this time, I have seen a marked improvement in her approach and strategies—she now takes adequate time to think, analyse, and is increasingly thoughtful and choosy with her moves. A big credit for this growth goes to her easy-going and nurturing teacher, Mr. Piyush, and the fun, relaxed environment he creates in class, which helps her think clearly and progress at a healthy pace.

Nistha does very well academically and is a disciplined, focused child. She has won several math, science, and karate competitions and tournaments over the years. In her spare time, she enjoys drawing, painting, and crafting, and she is actively involved in chess and karate. She is also especially fond of dogs.

Coach feedback
As Nistha’s chess coach, I have had the privilege of guiding her for the past five years, and I am truly impressed by her progress. Over this time, she has grown into a thoughtful and strategic player who takes the necessary time to analyze positions carefully before making her moves. Her ability to think critically and choose moves thoughtfully has improved significantly.
I strive to create a fun, relaxed, and nurturing environment in my classes, and Nistha flourishes in this setting. She approaches learning with enthusiasm and confidence, which has greatly contributed to her steady improvement. It’s rewarding to see her develop a clear thinking process and a healthy pace in her chess skills.
I am proud of Nistha’s dedication and look forward to supporting her continued growth and success in the game.

Parent’s Brief
Full Name: Jyotiska Banerjee
Jyotiska is a 3rd-grade student from Grafton, Massachusetts. He joined the Olive Chess Club last December, and since then we’ve seen remarkable growth in his thinking and overall gameplay. His interest in chess has also increased significantly. A big part of this progress goes to his supportive teacher, Mr. Piyush, who creates a fun and relaxed learning environment. This has helped Jyotiska enjoy the game even more, learn with ease, and steadily develop his chess skills. In his free time, Jyotiska loves swimming, practicing Taekwondo, exploring new places, and spending time with his family.

Coach feedback
I have had the pleasure of coaching Jyotiska Banerjee since he joined the Olive Chess Club in December 2024. Over this time, I have seen impressive progress in his chess skills and strategic thinking. Jyotiska approaches each lesson with enthusiasm and curiosity, making it rewarding to watch him develop both his gameplay and love for the game. Creating a relaxed and enjoyable environment has helped him learn more effectively and steadily improve. I am excited to continue supporting his chess journey as he grows.
Few games link
https://lichess.org/71dms007/black https://lichess.org/s2NKB7U1/black https://lichess.org/4Sk0DfEk/black

Parent’s Brief
Full name: Hanish Kondakrindi
Hanish is an energetic and curious 5th grader from Adelaide, Australia . Since joining the Olive Chess Club last March , he has shown remarkable development in his thinking process and gameplay. He now takes his time to evaluate positions, considers multiple possibilities, and makes smarter, well-planned decisions on the board. Much of this improvement is thanks to his mentor, Mr. Piyush, whose friendly, patient, and encouraging teaching style creates a comfortable space for students to learn, experiment, and grow..
Thank you very much Piyush.

Coach feedback
It has been wonderful coaching Hanish Kondakrindi since he joined the Olive Chess Club in March 2024. Over these months, I have witnessed his remarkable development in thinking and gameplay. Hanish has grown into a thoughtful player who takes time to evaluate positions carefully, considers multiple possibilities, and makes well-planned decisions on the board. His curiosity and energy bring great enthusiasm to every lesson. It is truly rewarding to support his chess journey and see him continue to grow as a player and thinker.