CM Mohamed Hassan (Mohan): The First National Chess Champion of the Maldives
Birth Year: 1976
Peak FIDE Rating: 1913
Mohamed Hassan — widely known as Mohan — is one of the most respected figures in Maldivian chess. A two-time national champion and five-time Olympiad representative, Mohan’s journey from bottle-cap chess pieces to international boards is a story of passion, discipline, and quiet determination.
Where It All Began
Mohan’s love for chess began at home in Malé, right next to his uncle’s house, a place where family and neighbors often gathered around a chessboard. Watching them play sparked his curiosity, and by age nine, he was fully immersed in the game.
Without a proper chess set, Mohan improvised, collecting Fanta and Coca-Cola bottle caps, writing piece names on them, and playing endlessly with his siblings. His mother, worried that chess was distracting him from school, sometimes threw away his handmade pieces, but he always found another way to play.
In those early days, Mohan played the traditional Maldivian form of chess, a version closer to ancient Indian rules, with pawns moving only one square and no castling.
A Growing Passion
After finishing school, Mohan joined the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), where he entered an internal chess event. Although he didn’t win, the experience reignited his competitive spark and deepened his love for the game. Later, while studying A-Levels at SEC (now CHSE), chess became part of his daily routine. The common room was his arena, where friendly games were often played “for tea.” He quickly became the strongest player on campus, always eager for new challenges.
After completing his A-Levels, he joined the Ministry of Finance, where he became more focused on his job than on chess. A few years later, he received a scholarship to pursue a degree in Development Studies at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra and that’s where his passion for the game reignited.
At ANU, he often visited the common halls to take on the best players around and won most of his games. Outside class hours, he and fellow enthusiasts would gather in local parks, playing under the trees with burgers and laughter blending friendship and competition in equal measure.
Determined to Compete
Upon returning to Malé, Mohan began working at Ceylinco Insurance. Around this time, he decided to play competitive chess again and told his cousin Ayyoob about his plan. When a local tournament was announced with two divisions, his cousin asked which one he wanted to join. Mohan immediately said, “Division 1.”
His cousin advised him to start in Division 2 for an easier experience, but Mohan refused. Winning wasn’t the goal — improving was.
Although still new to tournament play, he managed several wins against established players like Shabey and Peetay, even while using the old Maldivian rules! Eventually, he was eliminated by his cousin, but his confidence was unshaken. After the event, he told his cousin that one day he would become the national champion. He even wrote it down and stuck it on his bathroom wall as motivation.
The Training Years
In his early 30s, Mohan met Mohamed Ijaz, another dedicated chess enthusiast who shared his hunger for improvement. The two began training together almost daily after work. They played long games, analyzed deeply, and discussed chess principles for hours.
Mohan took meticulous notes after each session, eager to capture every lesson. This routine continued for three years. Right before the first National Championship, he invited Ijaz for a coffee and showed him a detailed mind map he had created from all his notes — his personal blueprint for chess mastery. Ijaz was surprised by the level of dedication and organization Mohan had poured into his learning.
A Champion is Born
In 2011, when the Maldives Chess Federation hosted its first-ever National Chess Championship, Mohan entered prepared and determined. With Ijaz supporting him as a training partner and second, Mohan played with confidence and clarity.
He scored 7.5/9 and made history by becoming the first National Chess Champion of the Maldives. Heading into the final round, he trailed leader Abdullah Ibrahim (Shabey) by half a point. But when Shabey lost unexpectedly, Mohan seized his opportunity — winning his own game and securing the title.
He followed this with another dominant performance in 2015, winning his second national championship with an incredible 8.5/9.
Between these titles, Mohan consistently topped local tournaments and became the player to beat in the Maldives.
Beyond the Board
In 2016, Mohan left his job and founded Seguro Insurance Services Pvt Ltd, which has since grown into one of the largest insurance brokerage firms in the Maldives. Though his professional commitments became his main focus, his love for chess never faded.
Mohan is known for his meticulous preparation before major events — adjusting his diet, jogging regularly, and focusing on mental clarity. During Olympiads, he would gather his teammates before each round to say together, “Today, we will win.” His belief in psychology, focus, and positivity became part of his chess philosophy.
When Mohan first entered the national scene, serious study of chess books and training methods was rare. Many local players relied solely on practical experience. Mohan helped change that mindset — proving through his own success that structured study and discipline could elevate a player to the top. He considers this cultural shift one of his proudest contributions to Maldivian chess.
Representing the Maldives
Over the years, Mohan has proudly represented the Maldives in five Chess Olympiads, performing consistently against strong international competition:
2012 (Istanbul) – Board 1, scoring 3.5/11
2014 (Tromsø) – Board 2, scoring 4.5/11
2016 (Baku) – Board 1, scoring 2/11
2018 (Batumi) – Board 2, scoring 3/11
2024 (Budapest) – Board 2, scoring 5/11
With a peak FIDE rating of 1903, Mohan holds the third-highest rating in Maldivian chess history. For his outstanding performance at the 2012 Istanbul Olympiad, Mohan was awarded the title of Candidate Master (CM) by FIDE, a recognition of his achievement and consistency on the international stage.
Style and Legacy
Mohan’s playing style is deeply principled — built on classical foundations, guided by intuition, and reinforced through years of disciplined study. He is a positional player who plays very principled chess. His calm approach and focus under pressure have earned him respect both on and off the board.
Whether competing, training, or mentoring, Mohan’s journey embodies the belief that talent grows through dedication and consistency. From homemade bottle-cap pieces to international arenas, his story continues to inspire generations of Maldivian chess players.
Looking Ahead
When asked whether he would consider leading the Maldives Chess Association — an organization many believe needs stronger and more transparent leadership — Mohan replied that he would only take on such a role once his business can run independently without his daily involvement. Until then, he remains focused on building his company and supporting chess in other ways.
Outside of chess and business, Mohan is a family man — happily married with two children.
We wish him the very best in everything he does, both on and off the board.
