Student Spotlight — The CCL Chess School

CCL Chess School’s 40th Graduate: Shiv Karthik Srinivasan

We are proud to introduce Shiv Karthik Srinivasan as the 40th graduate of CCL Chess School, a milestone that reflects not only his growth as a chess player, but also his dedication, curiosity, and love for learning.

Shiv’s chess journey began at just five years old. Since his very first tournament at Queen City in 2019 where he earned an impressive fourth-place finish, he has shown both talent and determination. Beyond the board, Shiv has always been drawn to challenges, whether solving puzzles or spending hours building intricate LEGO creations. When he’s not playing chess, he enjoys staying active with friends through soccer and basketball. Even during the 2020 lockdowns, Shiv stayed committed, sharpening his skills through online games in preparation for future rated tournaments.

Shiv’s hard work has led to an impressive list of achievements:

2026: K-12 Open Champion (Queen City)
2026 & 2025: Middle School Championship – 2nd Place
2025: MOTCF Top Team U2000
2025 & 2024: Ohio Grade Level – 3rd Place
2024: Cardinal Open U1600 Champion
2024: 4–6 Open Champion (Queen City)
2023, 2021, 2019: Ohio Grade Level Co-Champion – 2nd Place
2023, 2021, 2019: Ohio Grade Level Co-Champion – 2nd Place
2022: National Elementary Championship U1200 Champion
2020: 1st Grade Non-Rated Champion (Queen City)

Throughout this journey, Shiv has been supported by exceptional mentors. His first coach, NM Alan, played a pivotal role in sparking his enthusiasm and making early learning both engaging and fun. More recently, IM Atanas has guided Shiv to the next level, helping him think more deeply about his games, refine his opening repertoire, and develop stronger analytical skills. His journey is a testament to what consistent effort and strong mentorship can achieve. We look forward to seeing all that he will accomplish in the years ahead!

The Legacy of a CCL Graduate

The skills developed in becoming a CCL graduate transfer to a successful future. We are continually amazed by the accomplishments of CCL alumni as they move into new chapters of their lives, achievements we are confident we will see in Maxwell’s future as well.

Typical CCL graduate milestones include: