Coach Dushyant Sharma brings one of the most impressive competitive résumés in the SV Chess Academy coaching team. Originally from India and now based in San Jose, Dushyant holds the title of International Master — a distinction earned through decades of elite competition across 25 countries — and carries a peak FIDE rating of 2416. His achievements include a Commonwealth Silver Medal, the FIDE Trainer certification, and victories in more than 25 state-level events. And for those who follow chess online, he’s also notched wins against some of the biggest names in the game, including Gukesh, Hikaru Nakamura, Nihal Sarin, and Jan-Krzysztof Duda.
Dushyant’s love for chess began at age 9, when his father sat down with him and taught him the game — a moment that set him on a path to international competition and eventually, teaching.
With 4 years of coaching experience across academies, after-school programs, private lessons, online sessions, and tournament settings, Dushyant works with students aged 8 to 50, from complete beginners to advanced players. His philosophy is clear: chess should be enjoyable, practical, and personalized. He focuses on teaching students how to think — not just memorize — so the understanding they build stays with them long after the lesson ends.
What drives him as a coach is the joy of watching students grow — not just in chess, but in confidence and discipline. Passing on his knowledge and witnessing their progress is, in his words, what makes it all worthwhile.
Favorite chess piece: The Queen — because behind every successful King, there is a Queen.