This week’s episode of the New In Chess Podcast features an interview with Indian grandmaster Vishnu Prasanna, better known as Coach Vishnu. Vishnu is best known as the first trainer of Gukesh D, who will challenge reigning champion Ding Liren for the world title later this year. Vishnu has deep ties to the Indian city of Chennai, where he and his wife operate the Vishnu Chess Academy.

Interviewed by our brand new host Jacob Aagaard, Vishnu talks about his school, the city of Chennai, and the meteoric rise of Gukesh.

0:00 – Intro

4:10 – Chennai as a chess city

5:42 – The importance of Vishy Anand for the city of Chennai

7:18 – Gukesh’s formative years 

10:40 – Vishnu’s coaching methods with Gukesh

13:15 – What was the role of the engine in their training sessions?

16:13 – AD BREAK

17:06 – What caused the split between Vishnu and Gukesh?

25:10 – Vishnu’s family life and other business ventures

29:30 – Outro