BENGALURU: The ITC Windsor hotel has become the epicenter of global chess, playing host to the world’s elite as they battle it out in the 2026 Global Chess League (GCL). Behind the opulent facade and the constant hum of high-stakes competition, the hotel serves as a temporary dormitory for the sport’s biggest names. Yet, for 22-year-old Grandmaster Nihal Sarin, the American Gambits’ standout performer, the rhythm of the tournament is dictated by anything but the standard competition schedule.
While his peers can be found sipping lattes or reading the morning papers, Sarin’s clock remains perpetually synced to a different time zone—one fueled by late-night camaraderie and a passion for sports far removed from the 64 squares of a chessboard.
Midnight Games and Social Deduction
“We stayed up till around 7 am,” Sarin revealed in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. For the young Indian prodigy, the pre-dawn hours are not spent pouring over engine lines or analyzing complex endgame structures. Instead, they are dedicated to Salem, a social deduction board game that has become the centerpiece of his bonding sessions with teammates, including World Championship challenger Javokhir Sindarov.
Sindarov, known for his relentless intensity—most notably playing Counter-Strike during his successful Candidates campaign in Cyprus—finds a kindred spirit in Sarin. “Sindarov is a good friend of mine, very humble, and down to earth,” Sarin noted, describing the atmosphere within the American Gambits camp as “chill” and incredibly close-knit.
While Sindarov is an avid video game enthusiast, Sarin prefers the tactile engagement of board games or the physical challenge of padel. However, Tuesday night’s marathon session wasn’t just about board games. It was a pilgrimage of sorts for the tennis-obsessed Grandmaster, who was determined to catch the US Open men’s quarterfinal clash between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz. Despite his best efforts to wait out the rain-delayed schedule—and the preceding marathon match between Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro—even the resilient Sarin eventually succumbed to the sheer exhaustion of his grueling tournament routine.
Perspective on Legends and Legacy
Sarin’s appreciation for elite sports extends well beyond his own board. He expressed genuine shock at the longevity of tennis icons like the Williams sisters, noting that their ability to compete at the highest level well into their careers is “truly extraordinary.”
For Sarin, this definition of an “absolute legend” serves as a benchmark for his peers in chess. The conversation inevitably turned to five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, who is currently navigating a difficult season with the Alaskan Knights. Despite the 56-year-old chess icon being winless through six games, Sarin remains defensive of the legend’s status.
“People are there to take shots at him, but Vishy doesn’t give a crap about their opinion. And that is why he is a legend,” Sarin remarked. “The way he has performed in some of these games here is simply outstanding at this age.”
The Road to Samarkand: Focus on the Olympiad
As the GCL nears its conclusion, the focus for India’s top chess talents is shifting toward the upcoming Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. For Sarin, this tournament represents a career milestone: his first appearance in India’s main Open squad.
The excitement is palpable. “I am very happy because we are all friends and have been together from the start,” Sarin said, before offering a playful jab at his teammate, Vidit Gujrathi. “Except for Vidit—he is the old one, not from our generation! But jokes aside, Vidit is a top player who has already won gold for India at that level.”
The team has been preparing in high gear, recently concluding an intense in-person training camp under the guidance of Grandmaster and coach Srinath Narayanan. While Sarin was tight-lipped regarding the specific tactical innovations discussed during the camp, he emphasized the value of physical interaction over the digital alternatives that have become common in the post-pandemic era.
“Virtual camps are not as helpful as in-person ones,” he admitted. “But I am very much excited for the Olympiad.”
As the interview concluded at 2:30 pm, with the afternoon sun hitting the hotel windows, Sarin was ready to reclaim his rhythm. “I will go and take a nap after my breakfast,” he said, turning back toward the hotel’s inner sanctum. For a man playing some of the most intense rapid chess on the planet, sleep is a precious commodity—and for Nihal Sarin, it’s earned.
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