Student Achiever: ‘This double victory has motivated me to aim higher’

A young chess enthusiast delivered an impressive performance at the Chess Tournament 2026, organised by Elite Kings Academy in Rama Mandi, Jalandhar. He secured first position in both the Rapid and Blitz events, winning cash prizes, medals, and a trophy. Meet Sahibjot Singh from Apeejay School, Rama Mandi, Jalandhar.

In a candid interview, this chess player, who got interested in the game by watching YouTube channels, talks about his next goals in chess after this double victory, among other things.

How did you prepare for the chess tournament 2026?

To prepare for the tournament, I played a lot of online chess games and also met my coach for advice. A day before the tournament, I revised my openings thoroughly so that I would not face any problems during the games.

Which event did you find more challenging – Rapid or Blitz – and why?

I found the Blitz tournament more challenging because it was my first time playing an over-the-board Blitz event. There was also a rated player in the tournament, the organiser himself, so defeating him was not easy.

What was going through your mind during the final moments of the two events?

In the Rapid tournament, I had a perfect score going into the final round. I felt nervous when I saw who my last opponent was, and the game was a little tricky. However, I managed to beat him and finish with a perfect score.

In the Blitz tournament, I faced a much stronger opponent in the final stages, but my experience helped me win that game as well. I entered the tournament with high hopes, and throughout both events, I was focused on securing a perfect score and finishing in first position.

Was there a particular opponent or game that tested your skills the most?

In both the Rapid and Blitz tournaments, the third round tested my skills the most. In the Blitz event, I played against the organiser, who had a rating of around 1,600. I managed to defeat him, which gave me a lot of confidence.

How did it feel to secure first position in both categories at the same tournament?

It felt as though I was at the top of my game and improving significantly. Initially, I considered it to be an easy practice tournament. However, after defeating the 1600-rated Blitz player, I felt that I truly deserved the first position.

What are your next goals in chess after this double victory?

My main goals are not to earn more money or win more prizes. I want to improve my chess and achieve a good FIDE rating. I believe that once I achieve these two goals, trophies and cash prizes will follow naturally.