A Masterclass in Mentorship: Mayank Chakraborty and Pratitee Bordoloi Crowned Asian Junior Chess Champions
MUMBAI: In a remarkable display of tactical brilliance and mutual success, India’s chess landscape witnessed a historic double-victory this week. Seventeen-year-old Mayank Chakraborty, India’s 94th Grandmaster and the first from the Northeast region, clinched the prestigious classical title at the Asian Junior Chess Championships in Mumbai. Adding to the celebration, his 13-year-old protégé, Pratitee Bordoloi, secured the girls’ title on the same day, marking a fairytale outcome for the mentor-student duo.
From Mentor to Champion
Though based in different cities—Chakraborty in his home state of Assam and Bordoloi in Bengaluru—the pair has spent the last several months working in close coordination. Their professional partnership began at the World Youth Chess Championship in Italy earlier this year, where Bordoloi delivered a standout performance by securing a silver medal.
Reflecting on their shared success, Chakraborty expressed a sense of fulfillment that transcended his own victory. “Obviously, I became the champion; that’s the best thing that happened to me,” the teenager told TimesofIndia.com. “But also one of my students managed to become the champion. It increases my happiness.”
Bordoloi, who complemented her gold medal with a crucial WGM (Women’s Grandmaster) norm, credited her mentor’s strategic guidance—particularly in opening preparations—for her tournament success. “During the tournament, it was a bit difficult because he was also playing, but before the event, he helped me significantly,” she noted.
Handling the Weight of Expectations
Both players entered the competition as top seeds, a position that brought immense psychological pressure. Pranti Dutta Bordoloi, Pratitee’s mother, described the intensity of the experience as akin to “giving someone a one-kilo weight on their head and telling them that they have to run now, and they have to come first.”
For Chakraborty, the classical title represented a significant validation of his hard work. “Since Classical is the actual main form where you become World Champion, it’s like I prove my superiority over everyone else,” he explained. He highlighted the grueling nature of the format, which demands intense preparation, mental fortitude, and long-term stamina compared to the high-speed, intuitive nature of rapid chess.
A Disciplined Path Forward
Despite reaching the elite status of Grandmaster earlier this year, Chakraborty remains grounded, noting that the “struggle” of the professional circuit continues unabated. However, he manages the rigors of competitive play and high-level coaching through a rigorous, distraction-free lifestyle. By eschewing social media and adhering to a strict daily routine, he has cultivated the capacity for high-level multitasking.
The road ahead remains demanding. Chakraborty is set to travel to Turkiye and Malaysia for upcoming international tournaments. Meanwhile, the Bordoloi family is balancing the excitement of Pratitee’s WGM norm with the financial realities of international competition.
As the duo continues to make waves in the chess world, their story serves as a testament to the power of dedicated mentorship. For those tracking the rise of these young stars, more details on their journey can be found in the original report on the Asian Junior Chess Championships.
