Biswa Kalyan finished his docu-series on chess Prodigies featuring Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun Erigaisi

Indian chess has been making waves on the global stage, thanks to a new generation of extraordinary talents. Names like D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Vaishali are becoming increasingly recognized worldwide.

Though these young players might not yet be household names, their achievements have earned them a significant following. Soon, their inspiring journeys will reach a broader audience through an upcoming documentary series titled Candidates, set to release in March-April next year.

This docu-series, produced by Dopamine Media in association with ChessBase India and Camera and Shots, attempts to narrate the story of Indian chess through the eyes of these new stars.

Filmed over two years, Candidates gives an unprecedented glimpse into the lives of young chess prodigies who are redefining the game in India and beyond.

Genesis of Candidates

It was conceived by Biswakalyan Rath, a celebrated comedian and IIT graduate who felt the potential for an exciting narrative on Indian chess.

He brought his vision to Prashant Raj, founder of Dopamine Media and alumnus of IIT Kharagpur.

Prashant, known for his previous work such as the Netflix series Alma Matters: Inside the IIT Dream, was uninitiated into chess, but he found the concept interesting.

“Chess is not just a game; it’s a way of life for these kids and their families. We set out to document a story and ended up chronicling history,” says Prashant. The filming began during the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai, a landmark event for Indian chess.

At that time, the team was optimistic that one of those players would qualify for the coveted Candidates Tournament within a few years. To their surprise, Gukesh has already advanced to compete in the World Championship match against Ding Liren—a development that adds a historic dimension to the project.

Capturing the Journey

The docu-series takes it beyond the chessboard, where one can easily see the sacrifices made by such players and their families. Right from grueling training sessions to handling academic pressures, the series shows the toughness of playing chess at this level.

It also projects the personal side of such young prodigies: though mature on the chessboard, they are children at heart—lovers of ice creams, milkshakes, and childish jokes.

Prashant shares a funny anecdote involving Gukesh: “One day, Gukesh came to me and asked, what does the fish say when it hits the wall?” The answer was ‘Oh damn!’ These moments of lightheartedness offer a glimpse into the personalities behind the chess prodigies.

The series spans more than 10 tournaments, including the 2022 Olympiad, the Global Chess League, the Candidates Tournament, and the upcoming 2024 Olympiad. International Master Sagar Shah of ChessBase India, who is one of the co-executive producers, has played an important role in shaping the narrative.

A Human Touch to Chess

The thing that makes Candidates unique is its focus on the human aspect of chess. Prashant divides the journey of the players into three phases – opening, where they choose chess; middle game, where they are in pursuit of grandmaster title; and the endgame, where they pursue a world champion’s title.

The series gives the idea that often players’ parents have had to sacrifice their careers to aid the pursuit of the game by their children. Such is the commitment and hard work put into making this young talent shine.

Although not a chess player himself, Prashant has developed an appreciation for the game and its people. “I don’t understand chess as a game, but I can understand people. This film is about kids who sacrifice their childhood for the game and parents who make huge sacrifices to support them,” he explains.

A Global Vision

The docu-series, running between 90 to 120 minutes, is positioned as a global release, targeting OTT platforms. According to Prashant, “Nothing of this scale has been done on chess yet.” The creators hope that the series will not only bring attention to Indian chess but also inspire a new generation of players around the world.

Internationally, documentaries on chess have focused on legends like Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen. Candidates aims to shift the focus to young, emerging talents who represent the future of the game. The series is expected to resonate with a wide audience, including chess enthusiasts, sports lovers, and those interested in stories of perseverance and success.

Indian Chess: A Growing Force

The emergence of players such as Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun Erigaisi marks a critical moment for Indian sports history. Hitting record levels and providing pride for the nation puts Indian chess firmly on the world map.

Their rising graph has pointed to further growth in India’s strength in the chess ecosystem; institutions, coaches, and passionate groups of players and fans support these young geniuses.

Indian sports have long been dominated by cricket, but Candidates highlights the rich stories waiting to be told in other disciplines. Chess, with its intellectual depth and intense competitiveness, is a natural choice for such storytelling.

What to Expect

Audiences will get a chance to catch glimpses behind the scenes into the lives of these chess prodigies, from grueling training schedules to rare moments of vulnerability and happiness. Candidates will be a moving and motivational journey through it all.

It’s not just a game series; it’s about how people go for greatness in their determination and resilience while making sacrifices in the pursuit of success.

According to Prashant, “This film is about the arrival on the big stage of young India. These kids represent the dreams and aspirations of a new generation. They are changing the face of Indian chess and showing the world what’s possible.

This is going to be a docu-series that marks the history of the storytelling of Indian sports. Highlighting the journey of Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and the rest, the docu-series is intended to motivate viewers and hail the impressive feats of young Indian chess players.

Global chess communities are waiting in anticipation as the series comes out: Candidates will make an eternal mark on the way people perceive the game and those who play it.