Always maintain a hunger for learning and have a heart full of happiness.
Always maintain a hunger for learning and have a heart full of happiness.
Raja Ball is a renowned Chess Coach and the Founder of The Academy of Chess in Kolkata. As a Certified Chess Coach, he is officially affiliated with the All Bengal Chess Association, where he plays a pivotal role in nurturing young talents and shaping the future of aspiring chess players.
With years of expertise in chess training, Raja Ball is dedicated to enhancing strategic thinking, improving gameplay techniques, and fostering a deep passion for chess among his students. His academy serves as a hub for chess excellence, offering professional guidance to players of all skill levels.
Chess Coach Raja Ball founded The Academy of Chess in 2017 with a vision to create a nurturing space for young chess enthusiasts to learn and grow. What started as a single center in Tollygunge, Kolkata, has now expanded to three offline centers across the city, offering a wide range of training programs to students. Additionally, Raja's academy has also embraced online coaching, providing access to chess education worldwide.
As a Certified Chess Coach, Raja Ball believes that many young, talented players often lack the right guidance to reach their full potential. With this in mind, his mission is clear: to ensure that every child in India receives proper training and mentorship. He envisions creating a universal platform that combines education and technology to empower young minds and make chess more accessible.
His ultimate goal is to produce the maximum number of Grandmasters from India, elevating the country's status in the world of chess and inspiring future generations to achieve greatness in the game.
Telling his story, Raja Ball reflects on his remarkable saga, starting with just one student and growing to nearly a hundred students today. His academy, The Academy of Chess, has expanded its reach with online classes, allowing him to mentor students from diverse locations such as the USA, Qatar, and various Indian cities like Hyderabad and Bangalore.
Coach Raja Ball credits his students' dedication and achievements at the State and National levels in chess as his biggest source of inspiration. Their continuous success drives him to strive for excellence in his teaching methods, motivating him to constantly evolve and provide the best guidance possible. The talent and passion of his students pushes him to stay at the forefront of chess education, ensuring that he can foster the next generation of chess champions.
Talking about his achievements, Raja Ball reflects on his many personal milestones in the chess world, including representing his state and earning national rankings. However, he considers his greatest achievement to be the success of his students. Seeing his students excel at the state and national levels brings him immense pride and fulfillment. For Raja, the pinnacle of success will be when one of his students earns the esteemed title of Grandmaster, a dream that fuels his dedication to shaping future champions in India.
Raja Ball explains that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, his academy primarily conducted offline chess classes, with occasional online exams. However, the pandemic forced a rapid shift toward online teaching. This change led to an improvement in the academy's technological skills, and Raja believes that this transition has been highly beneficial for both the academy and its students.
Online teaching has allowed for better time management and more flexible schedules, making it easier to accommodate students' diverse needs. Additionally, the shift has enabled the academy to reach a broader audience, extending its reach to students from various parts of India and even from other countries. Raja views the integration of online platforms and advanced software as a positive change that has expanded the academy's ability to provide quality chess education to a wider community.
Chess Trainer Raja Ball was deeply inspired to pursue chess by his grandfather, a chess expert, and his uncle, who established The Behala Chess School in 1998. His uncle’s success in expanding the school to 3-4 branches across Kolkata further fueled Raja’s passion for the game. Chess Promoter Raja often credits their unwavering love for chess and their significant influence in the local chess community as the driving force behind his decision to take up the game. Their legacy continues to inspire Raja in his mission to guide young players and elevate the chess scene in India.
A passionate chess expert, Raja Ball believes that chess is a sport that everyone should engage in. He compares it to physical exercise, stating that just as working out in a gym strengthens the body, chess is one of the best activities for exercising the mind. It sharpens strategic thinking, enhances focus, and develops problem-solving skills, making it an invaluable tool for intellectual growth.
Chess Enthusiast Raja admires Alexander Alekhine, the fourth World Chess Champion and an unbeaten Grandmaster, as his favorite chess player. Alekhine’s legacy as the world champion for 14 consecutive years continues to inspire Raja's approach to the game.
He resonates with Alekhine's strategic brilliance, particularly with his famous quote: "Playing on both sides of the board is my favorite strategy." This reflects Raja's own belief in versatility and the importance of understanding the game from every angle, a philosophy he imparts to his students at The Academy of Chess.
The Academy of Chess Founder Raja Ball advises young individuals to prioritize discipline and maintain a consistent routine in their lives. He believes that this not only improves their overall lifestyle but also opens the doors to greater levels of success. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of dedicated practice, stressing that becoming a master of any game requires relentless effort and commitment.
He also shares a valuable message for parents, explaining that a child's mind is like clay, ready to be molded. He encourages parents to provide their children with the proper guidance and support, as it will benefit both the child’s growth and the family as a whole. His final advice is simple yet powerful: "Always stay hungry and stay happy." This mindset, he believes, is the key to continued learning, growth, and success.
For those interested in connecting with The Academy of Chess, Raja invites them to visit their official website at www.academyofchess.com, where they can find comprehensive details about the academy, its courses, and how to get started on their chess journey.