How chess helped Bhavesh through his battle with cancer
Imagine a passion that stays with you through every chapter of life. A passion that is there when you are a child discovering the world, when you are searching for direction, when life suddenly becomes uncertain, and when you are trying to find your way back again. For Bhavesh Vyas, that passion is chess. It became a source of comfort, connection, and hope through some of the most challenging moments of his life, including a battle with cancer at the age of 22. Read on to discover how chess helped Bhavesh navigate life's toughest challenges and find joy again.
How I got introduced to chess
My name is Bhavesh Vyas. I started playing chess when I was 7 years old. My father taught me the basics of the game and introduced me to simple tactics. I played casually until I was around 10–12 years old. Then, our school appointed a chess coach, and I began understanding the game more deeply. My first tournament was the State School Team Chess Championship, where I represented our school. My father was incredibly supportive and always took the time to accompany me to tournaments.
I played chess passionately until Class 9. After that, the pressure of academics increased. Also, I enrolled in UCMAS Abacus. I became the 2 nd runner-up twice in 2013 and 2014. At this point, I was entering the teenage phase. I went through a phase of self-doubt and overthinking. Those years were challenging in ways that most people around me did not fully see, but they shaped my outlook on life.
From the 9th standard till I was in college, I played chess casually. My passion for chess never disappeared. In the first year of college, I was selected as the Chess Games Coordinator. I organised a chess tournament and selected the college team of Thapar University.
Pandemic and chess
In the second semester, the pandemic started. During the pandemic, I discovered the online chess boom through streams featuring players and creators such as Sagar Shah, Samay Raina, and Vidit Gujrathi. Watching these streams reignited my love for chess and brought me back into the chess community.
I published my first YouTube video on 15 July 2020. Everyone was surprised because they couldn’t imagine me (an introvert) doing this:
I also created an Instagram account dedicated to chess.
In November 2022, I participated in a FIDE-rated tournament in my hometown, Bikaner, Rajasthan. In the first 4 days, I won against 4 unrated players and lost against 4 rated players. On the last day, I won against a rated player and got a FIDE rating of 1525.
Also, in the second half of 2022, on-campus placements began at Thapar University. My sister motivated me to prepare seriously for them. In Jan 2023, I got placed in SpectraMedix. During the HR round, chess was also discussed. They asked how I achieved my FIDE rating and about my views on the Hans–Magnus controversy.
Chess, Chaos, and Cancer
I joined the Data Analytics Department of SpectraMedix in July 2023. In September, I underwent surgery for a pilonidal sinus. However, my recovery took longer than expected, and it started affecting my work. As a result, I became increasingly stressed about my professional life.
While I was still recovering from the surgery and making regular visits for dressings, a new problem emerged in November. I developed severe pain in my right shoulder. Despite consulting doctors and undergoing treatment, the pain did not improve.
One day at the office, I suddenly experienced shortness of breath and was unable to speak properly. After a medical consultation, I was advised not to worry. But when the same thing happened again a few days later, it became clear that further examination was needed.
The first step to correct diagnosis was when I got an X-ray of the chest, and then an MRI. We consulted a doctor, and he referred me to an oncologist (though I was not aware of it at the time).
We went home. Everyone was gathered. When I saw everyone gathered, I asked, “What is wrong?” They replied, “Nothing much; we will go to Jaipur for further examinations and better treatment.” My sister and I were talking about this. I told her, “I am feeling stressed.” She replied, “If there had been something serious, they would have told us.” I said, “I know nothing is immediately serious because the ECG is fine, but something is serious so that it might be a tumour then.”
The next day, my parents and I went to Jaipur. I wasn’t aware of where I was heading until then. When the car reached there, I read the doctor's board, "oncology surgeon". It was then that I realised I might have a tumour. We entered the room. He saw the reports and told me, “You have cancer.” It was a life-changing moment.
One hour earlier, I had no idea which doctor I was going to meet. Now I had been told that I had cancer. Over the next two days, I underwent further scans and tests, after which the treatment plan was finalised. It was a Germ Cell tumour anterior mediastinum.
He explained details about the tumour and how it will be treated. He said, “We need to start the chemotherapy as soon as possible, preferably tomorrow.” I had no time to think. To lighten up the mood, we went out for a walk. It took a week to get everything done before it started.
The doctors had advised me to avoid junk food and food from outside. During those months, my mother cooked every meal for me. The hospital food served its purpose, but her meals carried a sense of care and familiarity that made difficult days a little easier.
The treatment plan was: 4 cycles of chemotherapy. Each cycle had 3 sessions. The first session contained 40 hours of chemotherapy divided over 5 straight days. Then, after a break of 1 week, the second session: 4-5 hours of chemotherapy. Then, again after a week, the third session: the same 4-5 hours of chemotherapy. Also, in the first cycle, I had to undergo dressing of the pilonidal sinus every evening.
After the 4th cycle, a PET-CT scan was done. The results showed that the tumour wasn’t fully removed. The doctor told us that to completely cure it, an operation might be needed if it doesn’t get cured after 2 more sessions.
It was the first time the operation was mentioned. I felt low and cried a bit for the first time. After talking with my parents and sister (on the phone as she was in our hometown), I knew I had to stay strong and complete the treatment. My parents and I went for a walk.
In the 5th session, I was out of energy. I was not able to eat properly. I would vomit even after eating a normal amount of food. I ate semi-solid or light solid food in small chunks.
In the 6th session, I was physically exhausted, yet I managed to finish all five days of treatment. We were told to come back after 2 weeks to get the PET-CT scan done again. Alongside, we were searching for oncology surgeons, in case the tumour isn’t fully cured. A PET-CT scan was done, and the tumour was not fully removed. Hence, an operation is required.
Since I had the same type of tumour as Yuvraj Singh, we travelled to Delhi to consult a doctor who had been part of his treatment team. He recommended that I undergo surgery and advised us to choose the best possible surgeon for such a complex operation.
We decided to get the operation done by Dr. Ramakant Deshpande Ji at ACI Cumballa Hill Hospital. We consulted him on 26th June. And my operation was scheduled just two days later, on 28th June. I was in the ICU from 28th June to the evening of 1st July. On the morning of 29th June, my father came to meet me and said, “The entire tumour has been removed.” I told him, “Don’t tell me lies to make me happy”. He said, “Really, the tumour is removed.” I wasn’t ready to believe it. My father confirmed it with the doctors, and they said everything was fine.
The best birthday gift:
July 5th is my birthday. The day before, I was told it would take a couple more days to be discharged. On 5th July, the assistant doctor congratulated me and said, “As a gift, we are discharging you.” I felt very good. I then ate breakfast and slept for some time. I did my physiotherapy session. In the afternoon, I came to know that my birthday would be celebrated. It was all planned by the nursing and other staff members of the hospital.
After the celebration, there was still uncertainty about whether I would need more chemotherapy sessions. By the evening, it became clear that I wouldn't need any further chemotherapy. After a long time, I was genuinely happy to hear that news. I was discharged later that evening.
There was another surprise waiting for me, my friends had contacted my sister and arranged a cake.
During my treatment, life became a cycle of hospital visits, medicines, and waiting for reports. Chess gave me an escape from that routine. Watching ChessBase India recaps, following the Candidates Tournament, and playing online games gave me something positive to focus on. For a few moments every day, I was not a cancer patient. I was simply a chess player.
Chess content creation journey
In August 2024, I started posting regularly on my chess Instagram account. On 12th September 2024, I shared key moments from a chess match of IM Vantika Agarwal. I was pleasantly surprised when she accepted my collaboration request on that post.
In Dec 2024, I decided to cover the World Chess Championship on Instagram. It is easier to reach a larger audience via that platform. I uploaded the reel, and it got considerable views. I slowly tried to improve my speaking skills, background, and game analysis. It required persistence to continue recording every day, taking retakes, and captioning.
My biggest motivators throughout my content creation journey were my sister and parents. Before every upload, my sister watched the video and gave me honest feedback.
My parents provided me with the mental and physical space to continue creating content. My cousin also helped me with game analysis, and I recorded some of my videos at his chess academy.
In January 2025, we travelled to Mumbai for a follow-up visit. I tried my best to reach out to Sagar Sir, but the timing didn't work out.
Chess coaching and chess cafe events
In February 2025, I got an opportunity to teach chess online at Upstep Academy to USA students. In March 2025, I got a rejoining call from my company. Thus, I resigned from Upstep Academy. But I still wanted to be in touch with chess. My sister suggested doing something related to chess in Gurugram on weekends.
In April, I was busy with work, hence I had little time for chess. One day, a community partner of Circlechess told me about a bug while creating tournament on their website. My gut said, “Let’s try to create a tournament and organise it in Gurugram.” I checked with Tina Popli (CircleChess), she helped me to create my first tournament. The event was held on 27th Apr 2025. I got 7 entries (I was the 8th).
I started organising monthly chess café events, and the participation gradually grew to more than 15 players per event. On 20th July 2025, to celebrate International Chess Day, I organised a special event. Coincidentally, my parents were visiting my sister and me from our hometown at the time, so they joined the event as well.
In January 2026, we again traveled to Bombay for my follow-up checkup. I tried to meet Sagar Shah sir, but I couldn’t because he was busy with some work.
Meeting Sagar Shah Sir
During the Candidates' Tournament 2026, after coming back from the office, I was watching the stream of Chessbase India. In the stream, someone asked Sagar Shah, "What are your plans for Delhi?" He told about his entire plan, which included coming to Cut Coffee Paste on 25th Apr 2026.
Cut to 25th Apr 2026, Sagar Shah sir came to Cut Coffee Paste. He greeted everyone. He saw my SuperKing T-shirt and complimented it, “It looks new and fresh.” I told him that I unboxed the T-shirt today.
I shared the reason behind my visits to Mumbai and told him that I had tried to meet him on both occasions but couldn't. After hearing my story, he asked me to write it down and send it to him.
While writing this article, my younger cousin sent me a reel about the role of a grandfather in one's life. I realised how my grandfather’s life and teachings helped me. He left for his heavenly abode in March 2023. Whenever I had doubts about my own willpower, I would remember how he courageously battled various illnesses for 15 years. Thinking about his strength gave me courage, and I believe his blessings helped me.
I have a childhood friend named Gaurav Agarwal. We talk daily about chess. He has become a bigger fan of chess than I am. He tells me about most of the exciting matches. :)
Heartfelt gratitude to my entire family for standing by me throughout this journey. Words are not enough to express how much they mean to me.
Looking back, chess has been present in every phase of my life. It was there when I was a child learning the game, during the uncertainty of cancer treatment, and during my recovery afterwards. Today, whether through content creation, coaching, organising events, or simply playing a game, I am grateful that chess remains a part of my journey.
A special thank you to my sister, Shubhangi Vyas, for patiently reviewing and editing this article!
About the author
Bhavesh Vyas is from Bikaner, Rajasthan. He is a Chemical Engineer (Thapar University, Batch 2023) and currently works in data analytics. Chess has been a big part of Bhavesh's life since he was 7 years old. He currently has a FIDE rating of 1525. When he is not working or playing chess, you will probably find him buying books faster than he can read them. He has around 250 books, including 20 chess books! He also organises chess café events in Gurugram.
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