At just three years old, Aniket Patni lost vision in one eye after an iron rod pierced it. Five years later, another accident during a cricket game took away the vision in his other eye. But these incidents did not stop him from building a future for himself. Today, the 24-year-old from Vadodara is a multiple-time state chess champion and a national gold medallist.
However, a burglary at his home in Baranpura has now disrupted his preparations for another major championship. Thieves broke into his house in the early hours of Thursday and stole his laptop, smartphone and some cash. For Aniket, the loss is particularly serious because these devices contained specialised software and applications that he depends on to practise chess.
With the National Blind Chess Championship scheduled in Ahmedabad on November 23, Aniket is now worried about how he will prepare without his training equipment.
Aniket’s journey in chess began in 2017 when he was studying at the Samaj Suraksha Sankul Resource Centre in Nizampura.
One of his teachers suggested that he take up chess to improve his concentration and help him remain calm. Aniket said he was restless in class at the time, but gradually developed an interest in the game.
What began as an activity to improve his focus soon became a serious pursuit. He went on to win the state blind chess championship five times between 2022 and 2026. In 2024, he also won gold at the Blindfold Chess Tournament in Ahmedabad.
In October this year, he added another achievement to his record by winning gold at the National Blind Chess Championship in Palanpur. The tournament was organised by the Gujarat Chess Association for Visually Challenged and the All India Chess Federation for the Blind.
His next goal was to win another gold medal at the national championship in Ahmedabad on November 23.
The burglary has now put those preparations in difficulty.
Aniket used his laptop to run specialised chess software that helped him study previous games, analyse positions, practise specific moves and develop strategies. His smartphone also contained applications that supported his training.
The laptop had been donated to him by an NGO. Losing both devices means he has lost the tools he regularly depends on to practise and improve his game.
Aniket said he is unsure how he will prepare for the upcoming championship without them. He had been working towards another gold medal, but the theft has left him worried about his training.
Replacing the stolen devices is not easy for Aniket’s family. His father drives a rickshaw, while his mother works in other people’s homes. The family cannot immediately afford to buy a new laptop and smartphone.
For Aniket, the laptop was not simply an electronic device. It was an important part of his chess training, helping him practise independently and prepare for competitions.
The family is now dealing with both the financial loss and the uncertainty surrounding his upcoming tournament.
Aniket lost his vision in two separate accidents during childhood. When he was three, he was running away from a stray dog in a lane near his home when an iron rod sticking out of a wall pierced one of his eyes.
At the age of eight, another accident took away the vision in his other eye. He was walking along a roadside where some boys were playing cricket when a ball hit by a batsman during a helicopter shot struck his functioning eye. The impact damaged a nerve, while a blood clot caused blindness.
Despite these setbacks, Aniket continued his education and later graduated in history. Chess became an important part of his life and helped him build a career in the sport.
Wadi police have registered a burglary case and launched an investigation. Aniket said police informed him that even if the laptop was recovered, he might have to produce a bill to prove ownership. Since the laptop was donated by an NGO, he questioned how he could provide a purchase bill.
With the November 23 championship approaching, Aniket is now waiting for the return of the equipment that has helped him train for years. For someone who has worked hard to reach the national level, the burglary has not just taken away a laptop and a phone; it has also interrupted months of preparation for his next big goal.
