ApexChessAcademy · Believe in Moves!
Believe in Moves! — Setting up the board.
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ShapingChess Minds.

At Apex Chess Academy, we don't just play chess — we craft champions. Believe in moves. Believe in your future.

♛♛0+Enrolled students
♜♜0+Countries worldwide
♔♔0+Medals won
♞♞0+Top coaches
♝♝0Monthly tournaments
Why Apex

We don't just play chess — we craft champions.

Personalized coaching, deep strategies and in-depth game analysis at two Ahmedabad branches and online — for beginners taking their first steps to titled players chasing their next norm.

♔01

Master the Game

Unleash your inner grandmaster with personalized coaching, deep strategies, and in-depth game analysis.

♕02

Build Your Strategy

Learn the art of planning and foresight, honing your ability to think multiple moves ahead and outplay any opponent.

♘03

Sharpen Your Mind

Enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills through engaging chess puzzles and analysis.

Medal tally

State · National · International.

As on 20.10.2025 — students of FIDE Trainer Thanki Hemal Karsanji

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State Medals

Gujarat & district
0total
0Gold
0Silver
0Bronze
♛

National Medals

Across India
0total
0Gold
0Silver
0Bronze
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International Medals

Asia · Commonwealth · World
0total
0Gold
0Silver
0Bronze
Student achievements

Results, in our DNA.

International · National · State — every card is a real podium finish.

01 / 28
1st♚1st♚
1stKiyana PariharAsian Youth Chess (U-8 Girls) · 2023International
1st♚1st♚
1stSoundarya PradhanAsian Para Games Rapid — Men's Team VI-B1, China · 2023International
2nd♚2nd♚
2ndKartavya AnadkatFIDE World Amateur <2300 — Oman · 2023International
3rd♚3rd♚
3rdKiyana PariharFIDE World Cadet & Youth Chess Championships · 2025International
3rd♚3rd♚
3rdHimanshi RathiAsian Para Games Standard — Women's Individual B1, China · 2023International
2nd♚2nd♚
2ndDevansh Patel18th U-7 Boys Asian School Chess Championship, Blitz (Team) · 2025International
3rd♚3rd♚
3rdRuhani AsudaniCommonwealth Youth Rapid — U14 Girls · 2024International
4th♚4th♚
4thJihan ShahCommonwealth Youth U16 · 2024International
1st♛1st♛
1stRuhani AshudaniNational Amateur Women (<1700) · 2024National
1st♛1st♛
1stKartavya Anadkat8th National Amateur (<2300) · 2019National
1st♛1st♛
1stHimanshi RathiNational A — Visually Challenged Women · 2019National
1st♛1st♛
1stAshita JainSGFI National — U-19 Girls (Team) · 2023National
2nd♛2nd♛
2ndJihan ShahNational Sub Junior (U-15) · 2024National
2nd♛2nd♛
2ndKiyana PariharCBSE National Rapid Chess Championship · 2025National
2nd♛2nd♛
2ndKartavya Anadkat12th National Amateur (Below 2300) · 2025National
3rd♛3rd♛
3rdSoundarya PradhanAICFB National Chess · 2023National
1st♜1st♜
1stAshita JainGujarat State Chess (U-19 Girls) · 2023State
1st♜1st♜
1stDhyaan PatelGujarat State Chess (U-11 Boys) · 2024State
1st♜1st♜
1stAashvi SinghGujarat State Chess (U-7 Girls) · 2022State
1st♜1st♜
1stHimanshi RathiKhel Mahakumbh Women (Gujarat State) — Visually Challenged · 2019State
1st♜1st♜
1stDirgh KathiwalaCBSE Cluster West Zone (U-11) · 2023State
2nd♜2nd♜
2ndAadhya BhavsarSGFI State Chess (U-14 Girls) · 2023State
2nd♜2nd♜
2ndAarav Arpit ShahGujarat State Chess (U-11 Boys) · 2023State
2nd♜2nd♜
2ndKiyana PariharU-13 Girls Rajasthan State Chess Championship · 2025State
3rd♜3rd♜
3rdDaivya NagdaGujarat State Chess (U-11 Boys) · 2024State
3rd♜3rd♜
3rdAyansh DoriyaInter School Gujarat State (U-9 Boys) · 2023State
1st♜1st♜
1stAnushi PanditAhmedabad District Chess (U-9 Girls) · 2024State
1st♜1st♜
1stDhanasvi ThankiAhmedabad District Chess (U-7 Girls) · 2024State
How training works

Train smarter, every single week.

A structured weekly plan on the Apex Members Platform — curated puzzles, blindfold & MCQ sets, model games with explanations, integrated Stockfish analysis and detailed scorecards. Scroll to see the cycle.

Class at Apex01 — MONDAY01

A new weekly set drops.

Weekly sets run Monday–Sunday; previous weeks are cleared so you always focus on the current cycle.

  • Strategical & tactical puzzles
  • Blindfold & MCQ
  • Analyzed games
02 — THE ASSIGNMENT02

What's inside each week.

  • 10 puzzles from the games of strong players
  • 10 puzzles collected from the group of subscribers
  • 10 MCQ puzzles
  • 10 Blindfold puzzles
  • 4 playing positions
  • 4 analyzed games (White & Black)
Tournament play03 — AFTER YOU FINISH03

See exactly how you did.

Instant scorecard, total time spent per puzzle and for the whole assignment, review your games with Stockfish, and a progress report shared with your coach.

  • Instant scorecard
  • Stockfish review
  • Progress report
READY?

Build habits. Track progress. Level up consistently.

Explore plans or jump straight into the Members Platform.

Explore plansVisit platform
♘♛♖♔
Founder & Head Coach

Meet the Coach
behind 200+ Medals.

FIDE Trainer Hemal Thanki
FIDE Trainer · Ahmedabad

Hemal Thanki.

FIDE Trainer · Ahmedabad

Hemal
Thanki.

“Every student has a masterpiece game inside them. Our job is to help them find it.”

2182FIDE Rating
23+Years coaching
2024FIDE Trainer
Biography

A visionary leader and seasoned chess strategist, FIDE Trainer Hemal Thanki brings over 23 years of rich experience as both a player and coach. With an impressive International FIDE Rating of 2182, his profound knowledge of the game and dedication to nurturing talent have earned him a stellar reputation in the chess community. He has guided countless students, including visually impaired players, to excel at state, national, and international levels.

As a coach, Hemal Thanki has been instrumental in producing multiple national champions and star performers in global tournaments. His unique training methodologies, coupled with an unwavering commitment to his students, make him a cornerstone of Apex Chess Academy's success.

2014FIDE Arbiter
2018FIDE Instructor
2024FIDE Trainer
Achievements
As a player
  • Five-time Senior State Chess Champion — 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 (four consecutive titles)
  • Captain of the victorious team, 17th National Cities Team Chess Championship (2016)
  • 1st, 6th National Amateur Chess Championship (Below 2300), 2017
  • Represented India — 7th, World Amateur Chess Championship, Italy (2018)
Recognitions & awards
  • Purusarth Gaurav Award — 2000
  • JaydeepSinh Senior Award — 2014
  • Sardar Patel Senior Award — 2016
Coaching contributions
  • Coached visually impaired players for 5+ years — producing national champions and global performers
  • Coach at summer training camps organised by Gujarat & SAG — 2019, 2022, 2023
Coaching philosophy

“A holistic and personalized approach — building technical expertise, strategic thinking and mental resilience.”

FIDE Trainer Hemal Thanki believes in a holistic and personalized approach to chess training, emphasizing the development of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and mental resilience. His methods inspire discipline, foster creativity, and empower students to excel both on and off the chessboard.

By instilling a winning mindset and a passion for lifelong learning, he ensures that his students are equipped to overcome challenges and achieve success in all aspects of life.

Technical expertiseStrategic thinkingMental resilienceLifelong learning
About Apex

Meet our expert team.

Together, we are shaping the future of chess and empowering aspiring players.

Hemal Thanki
Founder & Head CoachHemal Thanki
Joy Chauhan
FIDE InstructorJoy Chauhan
Kartavya Anadkat
Strong & Experienced PlayerKartavya Anadkat
Sachin Prasad
Development InstructorSachin Prasad
Nivid Rana
National InstructorNivid Rana
Suyog Patel
National InstructorSuyog Patel
Falgun Purohit
FIDE InstructorFalgun Purohit
Apex Members Platform

Lots of puzzles, analyzed games & playing positions.

Get a structured weekly plan: curated puzzles, blindfold & MCQ sets, model games with explanations, integrated Stockfish analysis, and detailed scorecards. Build habits, track progress, and level up consistently.

Weekly strategical & tactical puzzles

A fresh Monday–Sunday cycle every week, curated from the games of strong players and from the group of subscribers.

Scorecards, attendance & progress reports

Instant scorecards with time per puzzle and a progress report for every student.

Blindfold & MCQ assignments

Train visualisation and decision-making without the board.

80%

Analyzed games

White & Black, from fast-growing players and the classics — with integrated Stockfish review.

Our own playing module

Play out 4 curated positions every week and review them with the engine.

Our sample videos

Watch how we teach.

YouTube channel
Sample lesson 01
Sample lesson 02
Sample lesson 03
Testimonials

In our students' own words.

★★★★★

Most Beautiful Chapter in my Life Book

I have been learning from Hemal Sir for the last 3-4 years and have got tremendous results in a very short period of time. In 2-3 years, my rating just jumped from around 1300 to 1800 (Peak Rating) and his coaching style, friendly attitude, and rapport with me have been fabulous.

Saumil NairStudent
★★★★★

An Absolute Journey Maker

I have been learning from Joy sir for the past 3 years and from Hemal sir for the past 2 years. Due to their dedication and hard work my rating has gone from 1600 to 2200 within this period of time. I am very grateful to the coaches for being a part of my successful journey.

Jihan ShahCommonwealth Youth U16 · 4th
★★★★★

A Real Guide & Mentor

Hemal sir gives you enough freedom to experiment, and his thirst to continually update himself always helps his students to learn new things. He is not just a coach but also a guide and a mentor — bright, motivational, passionate, disciplined, keen to get better. He also gives excellent psychological support.

Shreetu NandiWestern Asian Youth · 5th
★★★★★

Incessant Dedication Makes him an Ideal Teacher

In all the years I've been in the world of chess with Hemal sir, he has taught me about the endless possibilities of those 64 squares. Not only did I learn about insights, openings, and tactics, but I also learned how to evolve as a sportsperson.

Dr. Shikha ShahStudent
★★★★★

Coach & a Friend

Hemal is a perfect combination of coach and friend. He has in-depth knowledge of every aspect of the game and is patient enough to take time to explain every detail.

SachinStudent
★★★★★

Transforming Chess with the Apex Team

Learning chess with Hemal sir has truly transformed my game. He made learning chess fun and easy to understand and has a special way of connecting with kids like me. Kartavya Sir's personalized attention and tailored lessons made a huge difference, especially in tournament play.

Advik SharmaStudent
★★★★★

From Blunders to Brilliance

Hemal Sir has been training me for almost two years, transforming my game with deep strategic insights and expert guidance. His patience, passion for chess, and unwavering belief in me have been invaluable. I now approach every game with greater confidence.

Krishav ShahStudent
★★★★★

Wonderful Human Being

Apart from being a very good chess player and coach, he is a wonderful human being. The main quality of him is that he works very hard for his students and understands their psychology.

Falgun PurohitSurat, Gujarat
★★★★★

Your Enthusiasm towards Chess is Unmatched

Your dedication drives me towards achieving my goals. Your enthusiasm towards the game is unmatched, and I hope to grow into a successful chess player under your guidance.

Raj MathurStudent
★★★★★

My Chess Journey with Hemal Sir

Thank you, Hemal sir! With your expert guidance, I'm now thoroughly enjoying my chess journey and excited for the challenges ahead. Keep inspiring and guiding.

Aarav Arpit ShahGujarat State U-11 · 2nd
Contact & branches

Two branches. One academy.

Visit us at Vejalpur or South Bopal in Ahmedabad, or train online from anywhere in the world. Message us on WhatsApp to book a demo class.

Branch 01

Apex Academy, Vejalpur

16/B, Jaltarang Society, Near Police Chowky, Jivraj Park, Vejalpur, Ahmedabad

View on Google Maps
Branch 02

Apex Academy, Bopal

SF-224, Gala Hub, Beside Honest Garden Restaurant, South Bopal, Ahmedabad

View on Google Maps