Gopal (born 29 March 1989) is an Indian Chess Grand Master from Cochin, Kerala.
Gopal became Kerala's first Grand Master in 2007 at the age of 18 and the sixteenth Grand Master of the country.
Like World Champion Viswanathan Anand's phenomena in the country, Gopal effect has popularized chess in Kerala.
He won the bronze medal in the prestigious 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou,China in November 2010.
He also won the bronze medal in the World Team Championship held in Bursa,Turkey in January 2010.
According to the leading national daily, The Hindu- Gopal's achievement is unique since he became a Grand Master within just eight years of taking up the game.