In an old apartment, somewhat small in size and covered in a layer of dust, lived a family of four.
Vivaan, his father, his mother, and his grandpa.
Vivaan was a huge chess enthusiast, although he hadn't always been interested in the game. He fell in love with chess on one very fateful day.
It was June 1, 2025. Round 6 of the Norway Chess Tournament in Stavanger, Norway.
It was Sunday evening. After playing football with his friends, Vivaan returned home from the playground.
His mother told him to wash his hands and feet properly since he had just returned from the playground.
It was 8:30 PM IST. His mother asked him to switch on the television because his grandpa wanted to watch the chess match between Gukesh Dommaraju and Magnus Carlsen.
Vivaan wasn't interested in chess at all. In his mind, football was the only sport that mattered.
Still, he replied, "Okay, Mom," with a sigh.
After switching on the TV, Vivaan's grandpa called out to him.
"Come, sit beside me. Let's watch the chess match together."
Not wanting to disappoint his old grandpa, Vivaan agreed.
At first, he simply sat there. But as the match progressed, he began to understand why his grandpa watched every chess match so passionately.
The players on opposite sides of the chessboard were engaged in a battle of minds, using strategy and calculation to outwit each other.
His grandpa noticed a glimmer of hope in his grandson's eyes, but he remained silent.
It was a match where even a single blunder could completely change the course of the game.
Vivaan was immersed in it like never before.
On the TV, the commentator said:
"Magnus leans forward… he's calculating- but wait, what's this? He pushes the pawn… that's a blunder! Gukesh spots it instantly- rook to e8, a devastating counter.
Magnus realises it too late , his hand goes to his head- there's no saving this position now!
Magnus slams the table in frustration- and Gukesh takes the win! What a stunning moment! The young Indian prodigy conquers the world champion with nerves of steel and brilliance on the board. History has been made- Gukesh is unstoppable".
Vivaan burst out laughing.
"Hahahahaha! What an interesting match! I was so immersed in it that I completely lost track of time."
His grandpa looked somewhat worried. He asked Vivaan whether he had made up his mind about the career path he wanted to pursue.
Vivaan replied, "After watching this match, I'm having doubts about what I actually want to choose as my career."
His grandpa sighed.
"No worries. Do what you love."
Vivaan noticed the worried expression on his grandpa's face. He wanted to ask what was bothering him, but somehow, he couldn't bring himself to do so.
His grandpa then said, "Come to my room tonight. I want to show you something."
Vivaan nodded.
Later that night, he went to his grandpa's room and asked, "Grandpa, what was it that you wanted to show me?"
His grandpa took out an old, dusty frame from a suitcase that had been kept on top of a cupboard.
He showed it to Vivaan.
However, Vivaan couldn't read what was written on the frame.
He took a cloth and carefully wiped away more of the dust to see the inscription clearly.
He was shocked.
As he tried to read the words written on it, they slowly became clear.
"World Champion of the Chess Tournament of the Year 1991."
This award is presented to Mr. Raghunath Digvijay Deshmukh.
The name engraved on the frame belonged to his own grandpa.
Vivaan had always thought that his grandpa was simply someone who enjoyed watching chess matches. He had never imagined that his grandpa had once been a world champion in the chess world.
A question crossed Vivaan's mind.
If his grandpa had once been a world champion, why had he walked away from all the fame and glory?
Vivaan looked towards his grandpa.
His grandpa already knew what he was about to ask.
The answer was about to turn Vivaan's life upside down.