About Chess Kings & Queens
We started with one question: how would we teach chess to our own child? Fifteen years later, that question still drives everything we do.
Our Mission
Every child is our own
Our mission is simple: treat every student the way we would treat our own child. That means always putting their best interest first — in every class, every assessment, every decision we make.
Chess Kings & Queens was founded in 2012 by Grandmaster Magesh Panchanathan and Woman FIDE Master Anuprita Patil with a single guiding question: how would we teach this to our own child? Not the fastest path to a rating, not the most efficient batch process — but a real, thoughtful approach that gives every child the best chance to fall in love with the game and grow at their own pace.
That belief shapes how we hire coaches, how we build our curriculum, and how we communicate with parents. Every child who walks into our academy deserves a coach who genuinely looks out for them — and that is the standard we hold ourselves to every single day.
By the numbers
The People Behind Chess Kings & Queens
Founded by two titled players and led by an elite coaching staff — every program at Chess Kings & Queens carries their personal standard of excellence.
GM Magesh Panchanathan
Co-Founder · Grandmaster
Co-founded Chess Kings & Queens in 2012. Holds an MS in Computer Science from UT Dallas and achieved his GM title in 2005. Magesh believes great chess is built on great habits — he teaches students to develop structured, repeatable processes that hold up under pressure and compound over time.
- FIDE Grandmaster (2005)
- World Open Co-Champion (2005)
- Hastings Premier Champion (2021)
WFM Anuprita Patil
Co-Founder · Woman FIDE Master
Co-founded Chess Kings & Queens alongside GM Magesh. A dedicated educator known for her patience, clarity, and ability to connect with young learners. Her approach makes chess feel welcoming and exciting for students at every level.
- Woman FIDE Master (2013)
- USCF 2000+
- Chess Kings & Queens Co-Founder
GM Arunprasad Subramanian
Head Coach · Grandmaster
Joined Chess Kings & Queens in 2015 and leads the advanced program. Personally coached Abhimanyu Mishra — the World's Youngest Grandmaster in chess history — from his earliest moves to the historic title.
- FIDE Grandmaster (2008)
- USCF 2600+
- Coached World's Youngest GM
The Chess Kings & Queens Difference
What sets our academy apart from the rest
Structured 6-Level Curriculum
Every student progresses through a proven curriculum from Pawn through King/Queen, with clear milestones and personalized feedback at each level.
GM-Led Training
Classes and programs are designed and led by Grandmasters with decades of competitive and coaching experience.
Multi-State Reach
Campuses in New Jersey and North Carolina, plus a growing online program that reaches students nationwide.
Parent Transparency
Our parent portal gives families real-time access to progress reports, schedules, and homework assignments.
Our Journey
Over a decade of building champions
- 2012
Founded in Piscataway, NJ
GM Magesh Panchanathan and WFM Anuprita Patil co-founded Chess Kings & Queens with a simple belief: every child who walks through our doors deserves the same care and attention we would give our own.
- 2015
GM Arunprasad Joins GM Magesh as Head Coach
Grandmaster Arunprasad Subramanian joined GM Magesh Panchanathan at Chess Kings & Queens, bringing elite competitive experience and a deep commitment to developing young players.
- 2016
Expansion to North Carolina
New campuses opened in Cary and Holly Springs, bringing CKQ's curriculum to the Research Triangle area.
- 2020
Online Program Launched
CKQ launched its structured online program, making world-class coaching accessible to students across the United States from home.
- 2021
World Record — Youngest Grandmaster
Abhimanyu Mishra, trained at CKQ under GM Arunprasad, becomes the World's Youngest Grandmaster in chess history at just 12 years old.
Ready to Start Your Chess Journey?
Join hundreds of students who have discovered their potential through world-class chess coaching.