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At just 23, Anurag Khannur turned a dream into impact—balancing life as a final-year MBBS student while becoming one of Karnataka’s most trusted chess tournament organizers. Driven by passion and purpose, he organized 35+ tournaments and created opportunities for over 1,000 players to grow, compete, and believe in their own potential.
A Dream is Born
In 2022, Anurag noticed that many towns in Karnataka didn’t have proper chess tournaments. There was no strong chess culture, few opportunities, and very little support.
He began organizing tournaments under Khannur Sports Academy, focusing on quality, structure, and fairness. His goal was to create FIDE-rated, professional-level events that would help players get real opportunities to grow.
His first big event, the Karnataka State Open Chess Championship, became a selection event for the nationals—marking a major step forward in the local chess scene.
Building from Scratch
Getting players to join the first tournament was a challenge. Anurag didn’t have sponsors or big media support. What he had was strategy and dedication.
He used WhatsApp groups, word of mouth, and strong visual content to promote the events. Slowly, the word spread. Players began to join. Feedback was positive. And with each tournament, trust began to grow.
In just one year, his events attracted over 1,000 players from across Karnataka.
“Our events attract players from across India by offering a professional platform—with FIDE-rated formats, quality infrastructure, and real opportunities to grow and compete at higher levels.”
Anurag Khannur
Not Just Business—A Mission
His mission was simple: to grow the game of chess and give players the kind of platform he wished existed earlier. That mission gave his work purpose—and made him stand out.
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Challenges and Lessons
One of the hardest parts of the journey was starting in a place with no chess culture. Anurag had to convince parents, schools, and local leaders that chess was worth supporting. He built strong relationships, delivered good experiences, and kept improving with every event.
He also learned an important lesson: Don’t try to do everything at once. In the beginning, he was trying to handle too many areas. Later, he realized that true progress comes from focusing on one path, building it strong, and then expanding.
Tools and Habits That Helped
To manage design, planning, and promotion, Anurag used tools like Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Google Sheets. He made professional posters, tracked player data, managed budgets, and planned schedules—all while studying medicine.
What kept him going? Discipline, planning, and staying connected to his “why”—the reason he started this journey in the first place.
“My priority has been delivering high-quality, professional tournaments that uplift the chess ecosystem.”
Anurag Khannur
The Road Ahead
In the short term, Anurag wants to organize bigger tournaments in more cities and nearby states. He also wants to build a strong team, bring in long-term sponsors, and streamline operations.
In the long term, he dreams of hosting world-class chess tournaments internationally and putting India on the global chess map—not just for great players, but also for great organizers.
“My vision is to establish myself internationally by organizing world-class chess tournaments across countries—creating global opportunities for players and putting India on the map for elite chess organizing.”
Anurag Khannur
Advice for Young Dreamers
- Be seen – Use social media and networks to share your work.
- Stay consistent – Deliver quality every single time.
- Take smart risks – Don’t be afraid to invest in your vision.
- Build relationships – People help you grow faster than plans.
- Focus, but stay flexible – Stick to your mission, but be open to change.
Anurag’s Checkmate Move
Anurag’s journey shows us something powerful: You don’t need perfect conditions to build something meaningful. What you need is passion, purpose, and the courage to begin.
From a small town in Karnataka to becoming a name trusted by players and parents across the state, Anurag’s story is proof that dreams do come true—when you work for them.
And for him, this is just the opening move.
FAQs
Who is Anurag Khannur?
Anurag Khannur is a 23-year-old final-year MBBS student at SDM Medical College, Dharwad, and a passionate chess organizer. He has organized over 35 professional chess tournaments across Karnataka.
What inspired Anurag to start organizing chess tournaments?
Anurag’s love for chess and his desire to create opportunities for other players inspired him to start. He wanted to build a professional platform where chess players, especially from smaller towns, could compete and grow.
Under which banners does Anurag organize his tournaments?
He organizes events under Khannur Sports Academy
What kind of tournaments does he organize?
Anurag organizes FIDE-rated, competitive, and professionally managed chess tournaments that attract players from across Karnataka and beyond.
How many players participated in his events last year?
Over 1,000 players participated in Anurag’s tournaments in the past year.
What was one of his most notable events?
One of his proudest achievements was organizing the Karnataka State Open Chess Championship, which served as a selection event for the national championship.
