Virudhunagar district has played a stellar role in the southern part of Tamil Nadu in producing many national and state champions. Some of the shining stars of the district are given below:
M. Safira Shanaz
The unassuming girl from Rajapalayam is one of the most talented players of our district. She learned the game from her father A. Malik Jan Mohamed, who himself is a good player. Her brother, Asif Mohamed’s state Under 10 title at Mettur in 1985 inspired her to take her to the game. Winning national and state championships was her hobby. She represented India at senior level too winning medal in the Asian Women Team Championship at Macau, China.Besides, she has played for the country on several occasions. Though she completed three WIM norms, she has to reach Elo rating of 2200 to achieve the title. She also has played in many National Women A championships.
Some of her important credentials are
| ›› Former India No. 3 |
| ›› Women FIDE Master |
| ›› Has 3 WIM norms |
| ›› National Under 12 champion, Chennai 1988 |
| ›› National Under 14 champion, Kannur 1991 |
| ›› National Under 17 champion |
| ››Represented India in Asian Women Championship, Calicut 2003 |
| ›› World Youth Championships, Poland |
| ›› World Youth Championships, Czech Republic |
| ›› World Junior, Calicut |
| ›› Asian Women team Championship, Macau China |
| ›› Tamil Nadu State Women and age categories champion - several times |
FIDE Master P. Maheswaran
Maheswaran is the strongest player from S.R. Rajan’s Rathinam Chess Academy, Sivakasi. A former Tamil Nadu junior champion (2004), he has captained the state team in the National team championship at Gurgaon in 2010, besides being a member of the state team in the Kochi Nationals in 2011. He has the distinction of representing Tamil Nadu in the National Premier championship in Mumbai 2009. He has represented the state in national championships many a time. His highest rating was 2355, but his true potential is yet to be revealed. He also represented Madurai Kamaraj University for three years and then University of Madras for three years during his MCA course. After joining the Postal Services, he has been instrumental in winning the Tamil Nadu winning the All India Postal Services for the past five years (up to 2019).
| ›› FIDE Master |
| ›› Tamil Nadu junior champion 2004, Karur |
| ›› Tamil Nadu State Blitz champion 2012, Sivakasi |
| Represented Tamil Nadu in the |
| National Premier Championship 2009 |
| National Challengers 2009, 2010 |
| National Team championship 2010 -11 |
| National Under 18 Vijayawada 2001 |
| National Under 15 Goa 2001 |
| National Junior Thirupathy 2004 |
| National Junior Goa 2003 |
| National Junior Vijayawada 2002 |
| National Junior Mumbai 2001 |
| ›› All India Postal champion 2017 |
| ›› Runner up – All India Postal Services 2018 |
| ›› Runner up – RSC Cochin Rated tournament 2014 |
| ›› Runner up – ACC Rated tournament, Calicut 2016 |
| ›› Member of the Tamil Nadu team which won gold medal in the All India Postal tournament from 2016 – 19 |
| ›› Represented MK University and University of Madras for six years |
| ›› Won the SPIC Rating tournament in 2012 |
| ›› Won the Goa Rating tournament in 2012 |
R. Visalatchi
One more feather to the district cap. Hailing from a chess family, where her three other sisters are also good rated players, Vislatchi finished third in the National Under 17 championships in Jammu 2010. Thus, she received the honour of representing India in the Asian Youth championships 2011 in Philippines. Another moment of her glory was winning the board prize on behalf of Tamil Nadu in the National team championships at Gurgaon in 2010. With hardly a day before the commencement of her 12th standard board examination, she had the courage and confidence to play in the National team event in Kochi 2011. She also has won several medals in the national and state school games regularly.
K Marimuthu
The partially blind boy has brought several laurels to the district. He is the reigning state champion (visually challenged) for the past four years (2016 – 19). He won the Under 15 national championship for the visually challenged held at Shirdi, Maharashtra in November 2016. He is only the second national champion from VDCA, after M Safira Shanaz. He also represented India in the Asian Championship for visually challenged held at Mangalore in March 2017, a rare honour bestowed on him. He also won the TN State Premier Chess League for visually challenged held at Madurai in 2017. He is representing regularly Tamil Nadu in the National A championship for visually challenged (elite 14 players) and he finished fifth in 2019, a splendid achievement.
He has won several rated tournaments for visually challenged.
| ›› National Under 15 champion for visually challenged 2016 |
| ›› Represented India in the Asian Championship for visually challenged 2017 |
| ›› State champion for visually challenged 2016 – 19 |
| ›› Winner of Tamil Nadu State Premier Chess League 2016 |
| ›› University of Madras 2019 – 20 |
| ›› Winner of fide rated tournament for visually challenged Hyderabad 2018, Chennai 2019 |
S.R. Rajan
Rajan is the first player from Sivakasi and Virudhunagar district to represent the state in the National Challengers, after clinching the runner up spot in the state men championship in 1974. He was the second best after the then national champion IM Raja Ravishekhar in the prestigious Palani tournament, the only All India tournament held regularly in India in 1980s. After the playing career, he has turned as a coach and has produced many rated players.
M. Paramasivam
Though serving as a coach,his passion for playing chess has not diminished and produces good results even now. He had represented Tamil Nadu in the National team championships in Moha and has won many state level tournaments like Pearl City Open, Tuticorin and State level tournament at Dindigul. He has also won a few fide rated tournaments including SPIC, Thoothukudi. He tied for the first place at the Rating tournament Thiruvananthapuram in 2012 - 13.
R. Shaadurshan
Another young boy from Aruppukottai is doing creditably well. As a member of the gold winning Tamil Nadu state team in the Under 14 SGFI games 2018, he received two lakh rupees as the prize money.
He got title in fide rated open chess tournament held at palakad on 28th June - 02July 2023
Akshaya Vignesh
A cute Small boy Akshaya Vignesh from Aruppukottai got title in Tamilnadu State under 09 open fide rated chess championship 2023.
Jai Sankar Subramanian
Jai Sankar Subramanian Secured Runner Up title in Tamilnadu U17 Open Chess Championship
G. Akilan
2011 - G. Akilan of Kalasalingam University won silver medal in the tournament at Tashkent, Uzbekistan in the chess tournament for hearing impaired players.
Boopathy Raja
The Aruppukottai player won the 1 st CAK fide rated tournament (B 1600) at Kochi 2015 .
Vishnu Viswanathan
Vishnu Viswanathan, Sivakasi joint first KCF fide rated (B 1600) Chennai 2014 - 2015.
| M. Safira Shanaz, Rajapalayam | State women champion, Rajapalayam 1995, Tirunelveli 2001 |
|---|---|
| State Under 12 champion, Salem, 1987 | |
| State Under 13 champion Kovai 1989, Pollachi1990 and Salem1991 | |
| State Under 15 champion Sivakasi 1990 | |
| State Under 17 champion Rajapalayam 1993 | |
| P. Maheswaran, Sivakasi | State junior champion, Karur 2004, State Blitz champion 2011 - 12 |
| K. Marimuthu, Sivakasi | TN State champion for visually challenged – 2019, 18, 17 and 16 |
| M. Asif Mohamed, Rajapalayam | Under 10, Mettur 1985 |
| A. Chithra Selvi, Sivakasi | Under 12 champion, Coimbatore 1989 |
| R. Giri Rajakumari, Sivakasi | Under 10 champion, Coimbatore 1989 |
| J.J. Vale Prasad, Sivakasi | Under 8 champion, Nagercoil, 1998 |
| Sri Vishnu Prabha, Rajapalayam | Under 14 Rapid Championship at Salem 2012 |
| TJ Rathish, Virudhunagar | Under 16 Rapid runner up – 2012 |
| V. Sakthivel Pandian, Sivakasi | TN State Inter Medicals champion 2014 |
| A. Yogesh Kumar, Sivakasi | Under 14 Rapid champion Namakkal 2014 -15 |
| P. Arun Kumar | Under 16 Rapid champion, Namakkal 2014 -15 |
| P. Vishnu Viswanathan, Sivakasi | Under 14 Rapid 2015 |
| P. Akashaya, Sivakasi | Under 14 Girls Rapid 2015, State Schools Under 14 Ooty 2016 |
| M. Sundar Rajan | Veteran, Thoothukudi 2017 (C Kalidass was runner up) |
| C. Kalidass Veteran, | Karur 2019 and runner up in 2017 |
| M. Asif Mohamed, Rajapalayami | Under 12 champion, Coimbatore 1989 |
| R. Shadhurshhaan | TN State Schools Under 14 in 2018 |
| SR Rajan | State Championship for men – runner up, Tirunelveli, 1974 |
Players from the district, who have represented Tamil Nadu State in the Nationals (donor entries excluded) & All India School Games
Players from the district, who have represented Tamil Nadu State in the Nationals (donor entries excluded) & All India School Games |
|---|
| M. Safira Shanaz - Rajapalayam | several times |
|---|---|
| P. Maheswaran - Sivakasi | National Premier Mumbai 2007, National Team Kochi 2010, Gurgaon 2009 National challengers 2010, 2009 National Junior Sivakasi, 2005 Thiruppathi 2004, Goa 2003, Vijayawada 2002, Mumbai 2001, National Under 18 Vijayawada 2001, National Under 15 Goa 2001 |
| R. Visalatchi - Sivakasi | National team Kochi 2011, Gurgaon 2009, National challengers 2010, National Under 17, Jammu & Kashmir 2010, National U 13, Delhi 2006 |
| S.R. Rajan - Sivakasi | 1980 National B, Delhi |
| M. Ganesan, Sivakasi | National Junior, Cuddalore 1980 |
| M. Paramasivam, Aruppukottai | National team Moha, Punjab 1999 |
| M. Asif Mohamed - Rajapalayam | 1985, 1986, 1988 and 1989 |
| R.S. Rajan - Srivilliputtur | National Under 15, Calicut 1984 |
| A. Chithra Selvi - Sivakasi | National Under 12, Ooty 1989 |
| R. Giri Rajakumari - Sivakasi | National Under 12, Ooty 1989 |
| A. Kanmani Priya | National Under 10, Ooty 1989 |
| A. Sathish Babu, Sivakasi | National Under 14, Ooty 1989 |
| A. Siva Prakash, Sivakasi | National Under 10, Ooty 1989 |
| S. Arun Prasath, Virudhunagar | National Under 10, Thiruvananthapuram 1992, Sub Junior Sivakasi 1996 |
| A. Nagaarjuna | National U 13, Delhi 2006 |
| J.J. Vale Prasadh - Sivakasi | Under 8 Nationals 1998 |
| M. Paramasivam - Aruppukottai | National team Moha, Punjab 1999 |
| A. Gokul Ananth - Sivakasi | National Sub Junior, Sivakasi 1996 |
| P. Murali Krishnan - Rajapalayam | National Sub Junior, Sivakasi 1996 |
| R Visalatchi | Champion, TN State schools, championship, Erode - 2007 |
| A Ketharnath - Sivakasi | runner up TN State schools, championship, Erode - 2007 |
| A. Nagaarjuna - Sivakasi | National U 13, Delhi 2006 and 2007 – A runner up in TN State under 11 – played the nationals in Haryana |
| R. Nandhuja, Sivakasi | National Team Championship, Kanpur 2014,TN State schools, championship, Erode |
| M. Jothi Sankari - Sivakasi | National Junior Championship 2016 |
| R. Shadhursshaan - Aruppukottai | SGFI Games 2018 |
| K Marimuthu - Sivakasi | National A for visually challenged 2016 – 19 |
| KK Jayashri - Sivakasi | SGFI games – gold medal 2016 |
| M. Ganesan, Sivakasi | Madurai Kamaraj University 1982 |
|---|---|
| M. Safira Shanaz - Rajapalayam | Anna University 1997 – 2000 |
| M. Asif Mohamed | Madurai Kamaraj University 1995 and 1996 |
| A. Sathish Babu | Madurai Kamaraj University 1997 |
| G. Sasikala, Rajapalayam | Madurai Kamaraj University 2001 (All India Runner up), Anna University 2004 |
| G. Suresh Kumar, Rajapalayam | Madurai Kamaraj University 2007 |
| P. Maheswaran, Sivakasi | Madurai Kamaraj University – 2004, 05 and 06 and University of Madras 2007, 08 and 2009 2007, 08 and 09 (twice winner of All India Inter University) |
| K. Hariraj, Virudhunagar | Sathyabama University 2010 |
| R. Nanduja, Sivakasi | Sathyabama University 2010 |
| S. Saravana Ganesh Pandian, Sivakasi | Anna University 2010 |
| V. S. Saravana Ganesh Pandian,a | Anna University 2011 |
| Anandharaj K Thiruthangal | Madurai Kamaraj University 2019, 2018, & 2017 |
| ACG Hariharan, Sivakasi | Madurai Kamaraj University 2019 |
| K Marimuthu, Sivakasi | University of Madras 2019 |
| Aparna G, Sivakasi | Anna University 2019 |
| M. Paramasivam, Aruppukottai | SPIC Thoothukudi |
|---|---|
| P. Maheswaran, Sivakasi | SPIC Thoothukudi 2012 |
| P. Maheswaran, Sivakasi | Goa fide rated 2012 |
| P. Maheswaran, Sivakasi | runner up, SIvakasi 2012 |
| Boopathy Raja, Aruppukottai | He won the 1 st CAK fide rated tournament (B 1600) at Kochi 2015 |
| P. Vishnu Viswanathan, Sivakasi | First KCF fide rated (B 1600) Chennai 2014 - 15 |
| R. Shadhursshaan, , Aruppukottai | Runner up (below 1600) Kottayam 2017 |
| R. Shadhursshaan, , Aruppukottai | Dhoni's Trophy 1st international Open FIDE Rating Chess Tournament- 2023 , Palakad, Kerala |
| 1997 | Sahul Hameed NA, Aruppukottai won the non medallist tournament – SPIC, Thoothukudi |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Sivakasi Jaycees School finished first in the state level inter school tournament at Chennai |
| 2003 | Sivakasi Jaycees School finished first in the state level inter school tournament at Coimbatore |
| 2005 | Maheswaran P, Winner, state level tournament, Erode |
| 2006 | Paramasivam M, Aruppukottai, winner, Pearl City Open, Thoothukudi |
| 2007 | Maheswaran P - winner, Pearl City Open, Thoothukudi |
| 2008 | Maheswaran P won the state level tournament at Karur |
| 2002 – 2003 | M. Manimaran, Sivakasi won U10 category at St. Josephs, Chennai |
| S Sri Prasanth – best unrated player at Pollachi State championship (men) | |
| 2011 – 2012 | P Maheswaran Sivakasi won the state level Blindfold tournament at Rajapalayam defeating IM Shyaamnikil P in the finals |
| TJ Rathish, Virudhunagar won U15 category at Dindigul | |
| 2012 – 2013 | P Maheswaran won state level tournament at Karur |
| Thillai Masala state level Open Virudhunagar – winners | |
| P Maheswaran joint first | |
| P Akshaya, Sivakasi Under 10 girls | |
| SR Hari Varshan Rajapalayam Under 10 | |
| Sri Vishnu Prabha R, Rajapalayam Under 13 girls | |
| A Yogesh Kumar, Sivakasi Under 13 | |
| Akshaya Chess Academy Srivilliputtur state level age category champions : | |
| A. Poonkuzhali, Sivakasi - Under 19 girls | |
| Sri Vishnu Prabha R, Rajapalayam - Under 14 girls | |
| Sanjitha, Rajapalayam - Under 11 girls | |
| Deepika R, Rajaplayam - Under 8 girls | |
| Geojit Paribas state level, Sivakasi | |
| Rohit B, Virudhunagar - Under 7 boys | |
| Nivedhitha SR, Sivakasi - Under 7 girls | |
| Rotary Club of Sivakasi Central State level champions: | |
| Boopathy Raja, Aruppukottai - Under 19 | |
| Siva Harish R, Rajapalayam - Under 16 | |
| Hon. Chief Minister 65th Birthday State level champions: | |
| Arun Kumar P, Sivakasi - Under 17 boys | |
| Yogesh Kumar A, Sivakasi - Under 15 boys | |
| Sri Vishnu Prabha R, Rajapalayam - Under 13 girls | |
| Akshaya P, Sivakasi - Under 11 girls | |
| 2013 – 2014 | KVS Matric, Virudhunagar won the Sri VIdya Engg. College State level tournament at Virudhunagar |
| P Vishnu Viswanathan clinched the Under 11 title in the state level tournament at Karur | |
| 2014 – 2015 | A Kumaresh, Virudhunagar 1st at state level tournament U 10 |
| DP Vigneshwar, Virudhunagar 1st at state level tournament U 13 | |
| Ashok Manickam P, Sivakasi 1st at state level tournament U 16 | |
| Sri Vishnu Prabha R, Rajapalayam – best woman player | |
| Sivakasi Pyrocity State Level Tournament – age category champions : | |
| Akshaya P Under 11 girls | |
| Jayashri KK Under 13 girls | |
| Round Table State level, Sivakasi champions : | |
| Runan Sanjay M, Alangulam U 12 Under 16 girls | |
| Jeyashri KK, Sivakasi | |
| GKCA state level, Madurai – Nandhini R U 15 | |
| 2015 – 2016 | TP Textiles State level, Rajapalayam – winners of age categories |
| Rithika S, VIrudhunagar - Under 8 girls | |
| Mega R, Sivakasi - Under 13 girls | |
| Binesh Pravin R - Under 16 boys | |
| Jeyashri KK, Sivakasi - Under 16 girls | |
| National Engg. College State level, Kovilpatti - Winners | |
| P. Akshaya, Sivakasi – Under 16 | |
| State level chess festival, Tiruvarur Sri Hariharan M, Sivakasi | |
| Thiagarajar Engg. College Madurai state level V Sivanandha, Virudhunagar | |
| Scheveninger Practice Tournament, Thoothukudi | |
| Virudhunagar DCA (team) & Vigneshwaran K (individual), Sivakasi | |
| Kumaresh A, Virudhunagar - GKCA state level, Madurai | |
| Kumaresh A, Virudhunagar – Tirunelveli Practice Tournament | |
| Teekay state level, Thoothukudi | |
| SV Kishore, Sivakasi – Under 15 1st | |
| Rajapalayam Round Table Tournament, Sivakasi | |
| Under 8 girls – Jayarathi Kamak, Sivakasi | |
| Under 10 boys - Shadhursshaan R, Aruppukottai | |
| Under 12 boys – Kumaresh A, Virudhunagar | |
| Under 14 girls – Porkalaivani N, Virudhunagar | |
| Under 14 boys – Kishore SV, Sivakasi | |
| 2018 – 2019 | SCS state level tournament, Sivakasi |
| Jagendran Kamamk, Sivakasi – Under 12 | |
| Santhosh T, Virudhunagar – Under 10 | |
| Nithya Padmashree K, Virudhunagar – Under 10 girls | |
| TP textiles state level tournament, Rajapalayam | |
| Sanjay Ganesh Pandi, Sivakasi – Under 16 | |
| Sajan J, Sivakasi – Class 7 & 8 at Erode Chess festival | |
| 2019 – 2020 | Shadhursshaan R, Aruppukottai – 1st in Under 14 NEC State level, Kovilpatti |
| Sajan J, Sivakasi won the Under 16 category at the Patriots of Pearl City state level at Thoothukudi |
| A. Gokul Ananth, Sivakasi served as Technical official in the World Junior championships, Goa 2002, Commonwealth Championships Mumbai 2003 and January 2004 and Win TV international tournament 2004 |
|---|