EP #96: Shiyam Thavandiran - Data Scientist Who Took 1-Year Sabbatical To Pursue Chess Grandmaster Title

Shiyam Thavandiran (@shiyamalen) is a data scientist & International Chess Master, who took a 1-yaer sabbatical from work to pursue the Chess Grandmaster title.He joins Ara on this week’s episode of #TheTamilCreator to discuss taking a year off work to pursue his chess ambitions, hanging out with one of the greatest chess players of all time in Magnus Carlsen, the importance of reflecting and being open to other perspectives, travelling to different parts of the world to participate in chess tournaments, the level of preparation required for chess tournaments, and so much more.Follow Shiyam:- Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/shiyamalen/) Timestamps00:19 - Ara introduces this week’s guest, Shiyam Thavandiran01:21 - Shiyam speaks on his formative years and how he got into chess03:33 - Why he built a stable career before branching out to pursue chess05:56 - Difference between an International Master and a Grand Master; FIDE07:18 - Will he pursue becoming a Grand Master?08:44 - Going on sabbatical to pursue a career in chess10:35 - How he financially planned for his sabbatical11:12 - Some of his most notable moments along this chess journey13:33 - Beating a Grand Master 15:18 - Being in the top 0.1% of all chess players in the world 16:03 - How his family reacted to his decision to pause work and pursue chess17:16 - Returning back to the workforce; the importance of reflecting19:36 - How Shiyam prepares for chess tournaments23:12 - How, and how much, professional chess players get paid24:53 - Having mentors, and mentoring other players26:12 - The Queen’s Gambit and other factors that have revived chess27:16 - Cheating scandals in chess30:36 - Shiyam’s chess handle ‘Houdinovic’32:19 - A learning lesson from his chess journey; not being open to other perspectives33:54 - Advice he would give his 16-year-old self35:04 - How he wants to be remembered by friends and family36:01 - Creator Confessions43:33 - The Wrap UpIntro MusicProduced And Mixed By:- The Tamil Creator- YanchanWritten By:- Aravinthan Ehamparam- Yanchan Rajmohan         Support the show