Four Tournaments, One Incredible European Adventure - An Interview With Ramya Inapuri
Our very own Ramya Inapuri recently had the amazing opportunity to compete in four chess tournaments across Europe! Along the way, she faced players from around the world, explored new places, and made memories that will last a lifetime.
We caught up with Ramya to hear all about her experience—from the excitement of international competition to her favorite moments during the trip. Keep reading to see what she had to say about her unforgettable chess adventure!
1. You recently competed in four chess tournaments in Europe. Where did you play?
My first tournament was the Mediterranean Open Chess Tournament in Montenegro. The second was held in Budapest, Hungary. My third and fourth tournaments took place in the town of Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Between tournament rounds, on rest days, and before and after the events, I also had the opportunity to explore Croatia, Albania, and Serbia.
This trip was the perfect blend of competitive chess and unforgettable travel. I'm grateful for the experience, the people I met, and the beautiful places I got to visit along the way!
2. What made these tournaments special?
What made this trip truly special was that it marked my return to competitive chess after my family became complete—after the arrival of my little princess.
It had also been a very long time since I immersed myself in chess for an entire month. The experience brought back so many memories from a time when tournament after tournament, hours of practice, and constant preparation were simply a way of life. As life evolved and new priorities came along, those opportunities naturally became fewer.
This trip reminded me that while life changes, our passions never really leave us. Sometimes they just wait patiently for the right moment to return. I feel incredibly grateful to have experienced that feeling again—competing, traveling, learning, and rediscovering a part of myself that had been quietly waiting all these years.
3. Were the tournaments all the same format, or did they have different rules and time controls?
The first tournament was an open tournament, meaning that players were paired based on their results in each round (win, loss, or draw).
The last three tournaments were round-robin events, where every player played against every other participant.
The time controls were fairly similar across the tournaments:
- First tournament: 1 hour 30 minutes per player, with a 30-second increment per move. After the first 40 moves, each player received an additional 15 minutes.
- Second and third tournaments: 1 hour 30 minutes per player for the entire game (sudden death), with a 30-second increment per move.
- Fourth tournament: 1 hour per player, with a 30-second increment per move.
4. How many games did you play during your trip?
36 games in total (9 games for each tournament x 4 tournaments)
5. What is one lesson you brought home from the experience?
One of the main areas I wanted to improve was my ability to adapt my playing style depending on my opponent. I made a conscious effort to work on this throughout the tournaments, but I believe I need more experience in this area. Going forward, I plan to prepare opening lines that are completely different from my natural style. I am primarily a positional player, but during these events I deliberately chose more aggressive openings and entered sharper, more challenging positions to broaden my understanding and become a more versatile player.
6. How will this experience help you as an instructor?
As an instructor, this experience has given me valuable lessons that I can share with both my students and fellow teachers. Competing in these tournaments reminded me what it feels like to prepare, travel, compete, and learn from both successes and setbacks. Those firsthand experiences help me better understand the challenges that tournament players face and allow me to relate those lessons to my teaching.
On a personal note, I'm not sure if this part is intended for publication, but I wanted to be honest. Chess Wizards primarily focuses on scholastic chess, so I don't often have the opportunity to work with highly competitive tournament players. Before working full-time at Chess Wizards, I coached several students who competed in World Championships and other elite events. However, with my full-time responsibilities at Chess Wizards and raising my two children, I no longer have the time to coach competitive players outside of work.
Even so, this experience has renewed my appreciation for competitive chess. I can share with students and teachers how rewarding it was to travel, compete against strong players, challenge myself, and continue learning. I believe those experiences make me a better instructor because I can teach not only the game itself but also the mindset, discipline, and resilience that tournament chess requires.
7. How did you prepare before each tournament?
In general, calculation was the most important aspect of my preparation. My coach emphasized that I should work on it every day, along with studying new opening lines and practicing endgames.
The preparation varied depending on the tournament format. For the first tournament, which was an open event, I usually didn't know who my opponent would be until a few hours before the round, and sometimes only a few minutes beforehand, depending on when the pairings were released. Because of that, there wasn't much time for targeted preparation, so it was mostly a quick review of the opening ideas and concepts I had already studied.
The other three tournaments were round-robin events, so we knew the full list of opponents in advance. This gave me the opportunity to prepare much more thoroughly for each game. I was able to analyze my opponents' opening repertoires, prepare specific variations, and even introduce new opening surprises. It was a completely different experience and something I really enjoyed, as it allowed me to put my preparation into practice and see it pay off over the board.
8. How did you stay focused during long tournament days?
This was probably the hardest part of the entire experience. There were many moments when I felt mentally exhausted and even questioned whether I wanted to keep going. I also realized that I couldn't maintain the same level of focus that I had as a child or even in my twenties.
One of the biggest differences is that my perspective has changed. Today, I have a fulfilling life and a wonderful family, so whether I win or lose a tournament doesn't define my life. Playing these tournaments is now largely for my own personal satisfaction and love of the game. At this stage of my life, the results don't add much value to my career or the life I've built, and I'm fortunate that they don't determine my future. In one sense, that's a positive because it removes a lot of unnecessary pressure. At the same time, it also means I don't have the same all-consuming drive I had when I was younger. Back then, there was so much at stake—sponsors, future opportunities, and personal goals—that I poured everything I had into every tournament.
Even so, I reminded myself that giving my best effort was what truly mattered. Results don't always turn out the way we hope, but the willingness to prepare, compete, and keep trying is something we can control. That is one of the biggest lessons I took away from this experience, and it's a mindset I want to pass on to my own children, my students, and future generations of chess players. I want them to understand that while winning is exciting, the real value comes from the process of learning, persevering, and continuing to challenge yourself.
9. Which tournament was your favorite and why?
It's hard to choose just one. My favorite result came in the third tournament, where I finished just half a point short of earning a Grandmaster norm. That made it especially memorable and rewarding.
At the same time, if I had to pick the tournament I enjoyed the most, it would probably be the second one in Budapest. I loved the games I played there. They were exciting, challenging, and the kind of games that reminded me why I enjoy competitive chess so much. Even though the final result wasn't my best, I came away from that tournament feeling very satisfied with the quality of my play.
10. you could replay one game from the trip, which one would it be?
If I could replay one game, it would be my first game from the Budapest tournament. Looking back, I had several opportunities to force a draw, and my opponent even offered me a draw during the game. I decided to decline because I wanted to keep fighting rather than settle for a safe result simply because my opponent was higher rated.
In the end, that decision didn't work out in my favor, and I lost the game. While I don't regret having the fighting spirit, I do think I could have shown better judgment in that situation.
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