New Delhi: It was a Round 3 match between Ramesh Babu Praganandha and the eventual winner, Javakhir Sandroof, at the FIDE Candidates Tournament a few weeks ago. 12-year-old Arav Sarabalya, a FIDE Master (FM), had virtually joined the commentary panel of a popular YouTube channel covering live action from Cyprus.This was Aarav’s first such gig. He was asked several times to analyze the position and predict what he would play if he sat in the seat of either Praganananda or Sandharov.Both players are super-grandmasters, matched by their deep understanding of the lines on the board, and not everyone can anticipate their strategies. However, the young man, who rarely engaged in non-chess conversation during his stay on the panel, was able to navigate the intricacies of each position, and predict the advance in advance.
Believe it or not, this 12-year-old is the latest sensation in the online chess world. Still, it’s not just for what he’s doing with his pieces on 64 squares, but for what he’s doing dominating every chess enthusiast’s social media feeds with what his father, Yatan Sarbalya, calls “funny rails.”“When we go to tournaments, parents come and say, ‘We liked this special of yours. What you did about parents was good,'” Yatin told Times of India.com during an exclusive interview. “Our goal is not just to tell what’s going on in the candidates or to show which tournament Aarao is winning. Our goal is to post good content to make people a little more aware of our learning and our journey.” The act has earned the youngster some high-profile followers, from Hungarian chess legend Judith Polgar. Vishnu Prasnathe man credited for creating world champion Gokesh Dumaraju.“I’ve heard that some Grandmasters have told their students to go and see Aarao’s material,” laughs Yatan.
How chess made its way
The journey did not begin at home where chess was a way of life. In fact, Yatan, an IIT Roorkee alumnus and now a tech lead in Bangalore, knew only the basics of the game.In June 2020, as COVID-19 locked the world indoors, the Sarabalia family moved from Delhi to Bengaluru. With both school and work moving to the home office, the family looked for a productive outlet.
Aaru Sarabalya playing against his father (Special Arrangements)
Back in Delhi, Yatin sees the chess poster while picking up Aarav from gymnastics. Knowing that her son was very good at math verbally, they gave him a test.Once in Bengaluru, they enrolled him in Chess Gurukal, the academy of the legendary RB Ramesh.“It was a good time because we got to spend time as a family,” Yatton recalled. “When Aarav did his classes, I used to sit in the class with him so that I could learn something too. I could help and support him if he didn’t understand something.”
Entry into social media
The social media pivot was born out of a cold, hard sports reality. At the age of 11, Aarav had already become a FIDE Master. He started looking for sponsors. Despite Aarao’s accolades, which included multiple first and second finishes in age-group tournaments across various formats of the game, the family found the doors closed.“We tried hard to find sponsorship, but we didn’t get a positive response,” Yatton explained. “Sponsorship is a two-way street. People were asking, ‘What is Aarao’s presence?’ We never thought about social presence.”With Aarav wanting to improve his communication and verbal skills, the parents decided to take the reins. While Aarav focuses on chess, his parents focus on social media presence.
Aarao Sarabalya’s Family (Special Arrangements)
However, the process is strictly regulated. Aarao doesn’t own a phone and knows nothing about scrolling culture.“In a month, Aarao spends no more than two or three hours on it. We fix a specific time when we need him to work,” Yatan told the website.Parents script ideas and shoot a month’s worth of content in one sitting. For Aarav, it remains a game within a game. “He once asked me, ‘Dad, can I be a good actor too?’ And I was like, ‘Let’s focus on our chess first,'” his father added.
Fruit of labor
In addition to gaining followers, visibility has already borne fruit in a more significant way. Not long ago, a chess-based startup offered sponsorship to Aarav and decided to back him. This was a significant development, considering the prices of elite chess that included high-ranking tournaments abroad.“Financially, this is all our savings. In a year, if you make three or four trips to Europe and stay for three to four months, you will spend at least Rs 12 to 15 lakh,” Yatin admits.
We aim to be GM. And we do all the coaching and everything in that direction.
Yatin Sarbalya, father of Aarav
Since Aarav is only 12, parents must always travel with him, doubling the price. Yaton and his wife take turns traveling, juggling the responsibility of caring for their six-year-old daughter in Bengaluru.But results across the board justify the sacrifice. Aarau went from 1400 to 2000 rating in just two months of Europe tour. By June 2024, he had reached 2300, completely bypassing the title of Candidate Master (CM) to become a FIDE Master.
Chasing the ultimate title
To navigate the treacherous waters between the 2300 and the Grand Master (GM) title, the family did their best. He set his sights on Suryasekhar Ganguly, the six-time national champion and former runner-up. Viswanathan Anand.“We reached out to him and tried hard, followed him on Instagram, messaged him,” Yaton revealed.Ganguly chased the youngster for six months before he agreed to take the test. Arau succeeded in this, and since last year, Ganguly has been his primary coach.Also read: Formation of India’s 95th GM: Arunayak Ghosh, from next tournament fees to parental reliefArau’s current standard rating is around 2247 after a slight dip in France, but the focus remains unwavering as he prepares for his next round in Munich, Germany, playing in the GM category.The family is not interested in further growth initiatives, as Yatin said, “We don’t think in our minds that our next goal is IM (International Master). We aim as GM. And we do all the coaching and everything in that direction.”
