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The SRCC Sports Centre at Shri Ram College of Commerce (Delhi University) was one of the most unique and rewarding photography experiences in my journey as a sports photographer in India. I covered the Mary Cherian 3-Day Rated Chess Tournament here, which brought together more than 600 participants, including Grandmasters, International players, and State-level champions.
This assignment stood out not just because of its scale, but also because of the way the venue itself was transformed to accommodate a high-level chess tournament inside a space originally designed for basketball and badminton.
A Unique Indoor Transformation for Chess Photography
A Unique Indoor Transformation for Chess Photography
The SRCC Sports Centre, typically used as an indoor sports facility, was converted into a structured chess tournament environment. This created a very interesting photographic challenge, as the space combined elements of a traditional sports hall with the silent intensity of competitive chess.
From a photography perspective, the environment was similar in nature to indoor stadium setups like Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, but with slightly better lighting control, which made a significant difference in execution.
The presence of natural and ambient light allowed for more flexibility in camera settings and reduced dependency on artificial lighting or flash.
The above picture shows how the basketball court was transformed to a chess arena
Lighting Conditions & Technical Approach
Lighting Conditions & Technical Approach
One of the most important advantages at SRCC was the improved ambient lighting, especially during morning hours. This allowed me to experiment more freely with different lenses and exposure techniques.
I primarily used:
18–55mm lens for flexible mid-range compositions
70–300mm variable aperture lens for tighter, compressed shots
The better lighting conditions also allowed me to work at more controlled apertures while maintaining sharpness and depth of field balance.
A key creative advantage was the use of warm yellow indoor lighting, which helped produce visually rich frames. I also experimented with shadow play, using directional light to enhance emotion and focus around players and boards.
Capturing Chess at Scale – 600+ Participants
Capturing Chess at Scale – 600+ Participants
With over 600 participants, including highly experienced Grandmasters and state champions, the focus shifted from movement to:
Player concentration and expressions
Critical thinking moments during gameplay
Time pressure reactions
Emotional post-game reflections
Tournament atmosphere and scale
Chess photography demands patience, silence, and anticipation rather than speed. The ability to identify key emotional and decision-making moments became far more important than capturing continuous action.
600+ players playing at the same time at the Mary Cherian FIDE rated chess tournament
Flash Usage & Low-Light Adaptation
Flash Usage & Low-Light Adaptation
One of the few instances where flash was required during this assignment was for stage presentations and formal announcements.
In all other situations, I relied heavily on:
Natural indoor lighting
High ISO performance of the Nikon D850
Controlled aperture settings
Careful exposure balancing
The Nikon D850 played a crucial role in ensuring high-quality results even in low-light conditions, allowing me to maintain clarity, detail, and color accuracy without over-reliance on artificial lighting.
Creative Experimentation
Creative Experimentation
This assignment also gave me the opportunity to explore more creative approaches in chess photography, including:
Using shadows to frame players and boards
Capturing warm-tone ambient light compositions
Tight close-ups of concentration and tension
Wide shots showcasing tournament scale and structure
These techniques helped elevate the visual storytelling beyond standard documentation-style chess photography.
Playing with light and shadows to capture intensity of the game
Closeup shot of the king cornered
Playing with light and shadows to capture mid-game action
Working with Academic Institutions
Working with Academic Institutions
This experience at SRCC, Delhi also opened a broader perspective on working with universities and colleges for sports photography assignments.
Academic institutions offer a wide range of opportunities, including:
Inter-college sports tournaments
Chess championships
Indoor and outdoor sports meets
Cultural and sporting festivals
Professional-level student competitions
Going forward, I am actively looking to collaborate with universities and colleges across India to expand my coverage in both sports and event photography.
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
The SRCC Sports Centre chess tournament in Delhi was a defining experience that combined scale, discipline, and technical adaptability. It reinforced my ability to work in structured academic environments while handling large-scale competitive events involving high-level players.
With improved lighting conditions, flexible lens usage, and a strong emphasis on storytelling, this assignment strengthened my confidence in covering both chess tournaments and university-level sports events in the future.
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