Karthikeyan Murali

Karthikeyan Murali, known as 'Karthi Anna', is an Indian chess Grandmaster who has made significant contributions to the chess community, both through his gameplay and by supporting fellow players. His own journey in chess began during his father's recovery from surgery, where he developed a passion for the game. Despite facing financial challenges in his early career, Karthikeyan persevered and eventually gained the support he needed to compete at higher levels. Recently, he played a crucial role in encouraging fellow Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu to participate in the Women's Grand Swiss, where she successfully defended her title.