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The ever-present fan, Vijay Rajendran announces the 'Porunai Scholarship' worth Rs. 1,50,000

by Rasika Ratnaparkhi - 20/04/2025

What's it like to live and breathe chess? Think of it from a fan's perspective. For some, it might be meeting their favorite players, and for some, it might be attending elite tournaments. For Vijay Rajendran, it’s both and actually so much more! He is a die-hard chess fan who was seen at many elite tournaments in the recent times. He has gone beyond just being a fan. He has recently announced his first Scholarship, the “Porunai Scholarship” worth Rs. 1,50,000 to support chess players in their journey. This total amount will be divided among three players. Rs. 1 lakh will be donated to Aniket and Sayali, the ones who we discovered at the Mind Champions Challenge recently and the remaining Rs. 50,000 will be donated to R P Kanishri, one of the strong players from Tamil Nadu. Read on to learn more about Vijay’s incredible journey, his contribution to the chess world and the reason behind supporting these chess players. Photos: Vijay Rajendran

The man who is everywhere!

Imagine a magical genie appears in front of you, and he offers you one wish as a chess fan. What would you ask for? I would wish to travel the world, attend every major tournament, and watch my favorite players compete! But then it hit me. This wish is not as far-fetched as it sounds because people like Vijay Rajendran are already living this dream.

Chennai Grandmasters 2024, Tata Steel Rapid & Blitz 2024, World Championship 2024, Tata Steel Masters 2025, and Prague Chess Festival 2025 - they had one thing in common: Vijay Rajendran! This man was seen everywhere. Calling him just a fan wouldn’t do him justice; he is more like a chess icon!

Vijay at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025 in Wijk aan Zee.

Vijay at the Prague Chess Festival 2025.

If you have ever watched a cricket match, you have probably seen fans wearing t-shirts with photos of their favorite players and chanting their names. This just creates an exciting atmosphere. You can only imagine how motivating it must be for the players. We know that Cricket has a massive fandom in India. Vijay decided to bring that same energy to chess. He started wearing t-shirts with pictures of his favorite players, Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh Chidambaram.

Vijay and his son wearing t-shirts with Gukesh's photo.

Vijay loves cheering for Indian chess players and celebrating their achievements. But his passion is not restricted to watching games; it extends to supporting players. He has deep respect for the players and their craft. He understands the sacrifices they make, the pressure they endure, and the focus they need to excel.

For players, fans are everything. They are the energy that fuels their drive. But after a tough loss, what players need most isn’t applause or selfies - it’s space! Vijay gets this. He believes that a fan should be empathetic and respectful. 

Vijay Rajendran with Praggnanandhaa.

Vijay’s story begins in a small village in India. He comes from a family where education was a luxury. His father had eight brothers and four sisters, none of whom completed their schooling. Vijay broke the cycle and became the first in his family to finish the 10th standard. Scholarships played a key role in his journey that made him pursue not just one but three master’s degrees abroad! As they say, we learn from our experiences and carry those lessons forward. Vijay realised the impact of financial support in turning his dreams into reality. Today, he is paying it forward. He recently announced the 'Porunai Scholarship' to help chess players on their journey.

When asked about what inspired him to create the "Porunai Scholarship", Vijay replied:

"Many Indian chess players from humble backgrounds face significant challenges in pursuing their passion for chess. Their inspirational journeys, marked by incredible talent, hard work, and perseverance, have motivated me to create the Porunai Scholarship."

Vijay also explained why he chose the name 'Porunai' for the scholarship:

"I was born and raised along the banks of the Porunai River, which originates just a few kilometres from my village, where my parents still live. The Porunai River holds a special place in my heart, so I have chosen its name for the scholarship."

A few days ago, we hosted the ‘Mind Champions Challenge’ at the ChessBase India Club in Phoenix Marketcity Mall. Among the participants was a lovely couple, Aniket and Sayali, whose passion for chess is truly inspiring. These visually impaired players traveled all the way from Pune to be a part of the tournament. Aniket taught chess to Sayali, and together, they have been overcoming challenges to pursue their love for the game. Their story touched many hearts, and Vijay was one of them. He decided to sponsor them with Rs. 1 lakh to help them continue their dreams.

The power couple Aniket and Sayali!

I want to support Aniket and Sayali due to their incredible passion for chess and love for each other. Their participation in tournaments together has the potential to inspire many, demonstrating how chess can bring individuals together and strengthen love. This impact led me to sponsor Aniket and Sayali for their chess tournament-related expenses. - Vijay Rajendran on why he chose to support them.

Vijay’s generosity doesn’t stop there. He wants to support one more player under this scholarship. He has donated Rs. 50,000 to R. P. Kanishsri, a very talented player from Tamil Nadu, who didn’t let physical challenges stop her from chasing her dreams. She started playing chess at 10 and has won medals for India at the Asian Para Games and many other national and international events. But Kanishsri’s impact goes beyond just playing. She is a coach, an arbiter, and a motivational speaker who loves helping others grow through chess

R P Kanishri finished third in the women's section in Tata Steel 4th All India FIDE Rated Specially abled Chess Championship 2024

I appreciate her selfless contributions to the chess community through volunteering. For example, she volunteered at the Chennai Grandmasters 2024 and at the Chess Olympiad in Chennai. Her numerous medal wins for India at the Asian Para Games demonstrate her love for chess. - Kanishsri’s journey deeply resonated with Vijay Rajendran.

He firmly believes that India does not lack talent; what it needs is the right nurturing and opportunities. Through his generous contributions, he is not just supporting players, but he is promoting the growth of chess in India.

When you see Vijay traveling across the globe, attending tournaments, and supporting players, you would naturally think about how he manages all this financially. The answer is in his minimalist lifestyle! He simply prioritizes what truly matters to him. He saves a portion of his income, not for luxuries, but to support his passion for chess, which he considers “priceless”.

Vijay's son and Gukesh's little fan, I, at the World Championship 2024. | Photo: Vijay Rajendran

Vijay has shared his joy for chess with his son, I, as well. But his purpose is not to mold him into a future grandmaster or push him into competitive play. Instead, he just wants his son to appreciate the beauty of the game.

Sometimes, a fan becomes so inspiring that they make you their fan! Vijay has traveled across the globe and he continues to do so. Yet, he remains very humble. After seeing his attitude, his inspiring story, and his passion with purpose, you can’t help but feel proud of him. He is someone who truly embodies the spirit of chess.


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