Is representing India worth it? The draining family cost of raising a chess star

India’s chess boom is inspiring young talents, but families face huge financial and logistical struggles behind the scenes. Parents spend lakhs on foreign tournaments, visas, travel, and coaching, often without sponsorship or federation support. Many also deal with poor tournament systems in India and scams abroad. Despite rising success stories like Vaishali and Gukesh, chess parents say survival in the sport remains extremely difficult.