Top 10 women chess players in India: At No. 1 is the youngest Grandmaster
Top 10 women chess players in India: India has long been a chess powerhouse, producing world-class talent who have made their mark on the global stage. While legends like Viswanathan Anand and rising stars like D Gukesh often steal the spotlight, India's women chess players have been quietly and steadily making their presence felt, both at home and abroad. From prodigies dominating international tournaments to seasoned champions breaking barriers, these women have proven that chess excellence knows no gender.
One of the key indicators of a player's prowess is their FIDE rating, which evaluates skill based on consistent performance against ranked opponents.Generally, the higher a player's rating, the stronger and more consistent their performance is.
Here are India's top women chess players, ranked according to FIDE:
Source: Forbes
Koneru Humpy, born in Gudivada in 1987, showed early promise in chess, guided by her father from age six. By eight, she was winning local tournaments. In 2002, she made history as the youngest female Grandmaster at 15, breaking Judit Polgár's record. Humpy, later, became the second woman to surpass a 2600 Elo rating. Her achievements earned her the prestigious Arjuna Award and Padma Shri.
Born in 1991 in Guntur, Harika Dronavalli became a Grandmaster in 2009, showcasing her chess prowess early on. She's a three-time bronze medalist at the Women's World Championship (2012, 2015, 2017) and won the FIDE Women's Grand Prix in 2016. She is the second Indian woman to cross the 2600 Elo mark and has received both the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri for her achievements.
Born in 2001, Vaishali Rameshbabu earned the Grandmaster title in 2024. Alongside her brother Praggnanandhaa, they made history as the first sibling duo to both become Grandmasters and qualify for the prestigious Candidates Tournament.
Divya Deshmukh, a rising star in Indian chess, earned the International Master title in 2023. One of her major achievements came in 2024 when she clinched the title at the FIDE World Junior Girls Chess Championship. She also played a key role in India's gold medal victory at the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad, further cementing her status as a promising young talent.
Tania Sachdev is a renowned Indian chess player who holds the titles of Woman Grandmaster and International Master. She reached her peak FIDE rating of 2443 in September 2013. A key member of the Indian team, she contributed to their gold medal win at the 45th Chess Olympiad, hosted by the International Chess Federation in Budapest.
Vantika Agrawal, born in September 2002, holds the FIDE titles of Woman Grandmaster (WGM) and International Master (IM). She has three gold medals at the Chess Olympiad, and two golds at the 45th Chess Olympiad in 2024. Agrawal also secured a silver medal with the Indian Team at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games. Her accolades extend to medals in Commonwealth, World Youth, Asian Youth, and National Championships. In recognition of her outstanding achievements, she was recently awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award.
P V Nandhidhaa from Tamil Nadu, born on April 10, 1996, holds the FIDE titles of Woman Grandmaster (WGM) and Woman International Master (WIM), making her the 17th Woman Grandmaster of India. She has achieved significant success in her career, including winning an individual Gold in the Asian Chess Championship in 2022 and becoming the reigning National Women Chess Champion in 2024. She has also secured medals in Commonwealth and Asian-level tournaments across various age categories. Her peak FIDE Elo rating is 2380, and she continues to compete at a high level.
Padmini Rout, born on January 5, 1994, holds the titles of International Master (IM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM). Rout has won the National Women's Premier Championship five times and was the Asian Women's Champion in 2018. She also earned an individual gold medal at the 2014 Women's Chess Olympiad.
Born in 1992, Bhakti Kulkarni holds the prestigious FIDE titles of Woman Grandmaster (2012) and International Master (2019). A recipient of the Arjuna Award for her significant contributions to chess, Kulkarni has achieved notable successes, including winning the Asian Women's Chess Championship and representing India in various international tournaments.
Rakshitta Ravi, born on April 24, 2005, holds the FIDE title of Woman Grandmaster (WGM), which she achieved in April 2023. Her parents, T S Ravi and Sai Meera Ravi, are both titled chess players. Rakshitta earned her Woman International Master (WIM) title at 13 and her WGM title at 17, making her India's 24th Woman Grandmaster.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
24 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Kareena Kapoor reveals her new schedule; says she has dinner at 6pm, lights out at 9:30 pm: ‘Saif, the kids and me, we're all cooking together'
From doing four to five films a year to selectively choosing roles and starring in one or two projects annually, Kareena Kapoor Khan has significantly changed her approach to work after becoming a mother to two boys — Taimur Ali Khan and Jeh Ali Khan. In a recent interaction, Kareena admitted that it is now more about doing quality work over quantity and that she is happy to be out of the phase of chasing roles like younger actors. She also spoke about lifestyle changes she has incorporated in her schedule, with family time with husband Saif Ali Khan and sons taking precedence. During an interaction with Nod magazine, Kareena admitted that while her 'vibrant and alive' characters like Poo (in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham) and Geet (from Jab We Met) have been popular among the masses, she finds 'true joy' in playing characters that call for reinvention and allow her to challenge herself. She added, 'I've had the privilege of doing so many different kinds of cinema, so many roles. And even now, I don't feel like it's enough. I never want to feel like I've done everything.' While Kareena wants to take on diverse roles, she also shared her overall approach towards her career—'Doing less is doing more'—and why being selective helps her preserve herself and her talent. She said, 'It's not about quantity anymore. It's about choosing the right roles, ones that challenge me and excite me. I want to preserve my energy, my talent, myself.' Kareena also took a deep sigh of relief at not having to chase roles like younger actors anymore. Reflecting on her journey in the industry, she said, 'I'm happy I'm not chasing anymore. I see younger actors running from one thing to the next, and I just think: I'm glad I'm past that.' Talking about how she has changed her lifestyle — with dinner at 6 pm and lights out at 9:30 pm — Kareena says she wakes up early for workout and some solo time. 'My friends know not to expect me at parties. And they respect that. They know I'll be watching Schitt's Creek on low volume!' she shares. She also said that when the family is together, they like to cook. 'We love cooking together as a family. Saif, the kids, me—we're all in the kitchen. Saif is obsessed with Kerala cuisine. He's always trying out new recipes—idiyappams, coconut-based stews, everything. Me? I need my one proper Indian meal a day. Non-negotiable.' Both Kareena and Saif have become more vigilant about the safety of their kids and themselves after the latter faced a brutal knife attack at his Mumbai home by an intruder in January. In an earlier interaction with Harper's Bazaar India, Kareena had spoken about maintaining a work-life-balance. She had said, 'I don't feel like leaving my kids alone or because I don't want to be seen at some awards show. I want to be able to choose—because I'd rather sit at home with my husband and watch a show or have a glass of wine. That's one of the biggest changes I have gone through, personally. It is up to me to strike a work-life balance.' On the professional front, Kareena starred in two films—Crew and Singham Again—in 2024. Both films were box office hits. She is currently working on Meghna Gulzar's crime drama Daayra, which will also star Malayalam actor Prithviraj in the lead role.
News18
29 minutes ago
- News18
Manushi Chhillar's Return To Miss World As A Judge Marks An Emotional Homecoming
Last Updated: Manushi Chhillar returned to the Miss World 2025 stage as one of the judges. She was crowned as Miss World in 2017. In what can only be described as a beautiful full-circle moment, Indian actor and model Manushi Chhillar returned to the Miss World stage, but this time in a completely different role. At the 72nd Miss World 2025 pageant that concluded on May 31, 2025, at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, Manushi Chhillar was invited as one of the esteemed judges. The event saw Miss World 2024 Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic crown her successor, Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand, as the winner. For Manushi, this represented a bittersweet and deeply meaningful return to the platform that catapulted her into global fame and recognition when she was crowned Miss World 2017 in China. What made Manushi's role as judge all the more celebratory was the fact that she was once on the opposite side of the very same panel. She took to her Instagram to express how honoured she was to act as a judge at Miss World. She wrote, 'From once being crowned to now judging the competition, honoured to return to the Miss World stage. It's tough being on either side, but felt so nervous and excited for the contestants! Reminded me of my days. An unforgettable night of beauty, purpose, and power, to have been invited onto the judge's panel." Take a look at the post here. Dressed in a red off-the-shoulder floral gown from NEDO by Nedret Taciroglu, Manushi looked like a dream. The red gown came with a fitted bodice that graduated into a voluminous skirt with a thigh high slit. With its floral embellishments and tulle details, the gown exuded a romantic flair. For Manushi, being on the judging panel was more than just a professional milestone, it was a deeply personal and symbolic full-circle moment. From once standing on the stage as a hopeful contestant to now helping crown a new Miss World, her journey reflected growth, resilience, and purpose. Witnessing another young woman's life transform in the same way hers once did stirred powerful emotions, making the experience both humbling and profound. Watch CNN-News18 here. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : fashion lifestyle Manushi Chhillar Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 13:18 IST News lifestyle Manushi Chhillar's Return To Miss World As A Judge Marks An Emotional Homecoming
The Hindu
31 minutes ago
- The Hindu
PKL 2025 Auctions: Full list of players and teams confirmed for Pro Kabaddi League 12
Every team in the Pro Kabaddi League prepared for Season 12 by strategically building their squads during the two-day auctions in Mumbai on 31 May and 1 June. The biggest signing was Mohammadreza Shadloui, who moved to Gujarat Giants for over Rs 2 crore. Devank Dalal received the highest bid for an Indian player, with Bengal Warriors securing him for Rs 2.205 crore. Here's a look at the final squads for Season 12: UP Yoddhas Mahender Singh, Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi, Dong Geon Lee, Sumit, Bhavani Rajput, Sahul Kumar, Surender Gill, Ashu Singh, Hitesh, Gagana Gowda HR, Shivam Chaudhary, Jayesh Vikas Mahajan, Gangaram, Sachin, Keshav Kumar, Ronak, Pranay Vinay Rane U Mumba Rinku Sharma, Mohammad Ghorbani, Parvesh Bhainswal, Ravi, Abhimanyu Raghuvanshi, Sandeep Kumar, Aanil Mohan, Sunil Kumar, Rohit, Amir Mohammad Zafardanesh, Satish Kannan; Mukilan Shanmugam; Ajit Chouhan, Deepak Kundu, Lokesh Ghosliya, Sunny, Amarjeet Telugu Titans Bharat, Vijay Malik, Shubham Shinde, Amirhossein Ejlali, Ganesh Parki, Ashish Narwal, Jai Bhagwan, Manjeet, Rahul Dagar, Shankar Bhimraj Gadai, Ajit Pandurang Pawar, Ankit, Praful Sudam Zaware, Sagar, Chetan Sahu, Nitin, Rohit, Aman Tamil Thalaivas Pawan Sehrawat, Arjun Deshwal, Alireza Khalili, Moein Shafaghi, Himanshu, Sagar, Nitesh Kumar, Narender, Ronak, Vishal Chahal, Aashish, Anuj Kaluram Gawade, Dhiraj Ravindra Bailmare, Mohit, Suresh Jadhav Puneri Paltan Sachin Tanwar, Milad Mohajer, Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh, Gurdeep, Mod. Amaan, Stuwart Singh, Abinesh Nadarajan, Gaurav Khatri, Pankaj Mohite, Aslam Mustafa Inamdar, Mohit Goyat, Dadaso Shivaji Pujari, Aditya Tushar Shinde, Vishal Bhardwaj, Rohan Tupare Patna Pirates Deepak Singh, Ankit Jaglan, Sanket Sawant, Maninder Singh, Amin Ghorbani, Mandeep, Hamid Mirzaei Nader, Thiyagarajan Yuvaraj, Sudhakar M, Ayan, Navdeep, Deepak, Sahil Patil, Sombir, Balasaheb Shahaji Jadhav Jaipur Pink Panthers Nitin Kumar, Manjeet Dahiya, Ali Samadi Choubtarash, Nitin Rawal, Aashish, Uday Parte, Reza Mirbagheri, Abhishek KS, Ronak Singh, Nitin Kumar, Sombir, Ritik Sharma, Mohit, Vinay, Meetu Haryana Steelers Naveen Kumar, Shahan Sha Mohammed, Ghanshyam Roka Magar, Ashish, Hardeep, Ritik, Zubair, Rahul Sethpal, Vinay, Shivam Anil Patare, Jaideep, Jaya Soorya NS, Vishal S. Tate, Sahil, Manikandan N, Vikas Ramadas Jadhav, Mayank Saini, Sachin Gujarat Giants M. Shadloui, Milad Jabbari, Nitin Panwar, Rohit Kumar, Lucky Sharma, Shubham, Himanshu Yadav, Amit, Sumit, K. Harish, Himanshu Singh, Himanshu; Parteek Dahiya, Rakesh, Visvanth V, Ajith V Kumar, Ankit Dabang Delhi KC Fazel Atrachali, Ashu Malik, Amir Hossein Bastami, Mohit, Surjeet Singh, Navin, Ashish Kumar Sangwan, Saurabh Nandal, Gaurav Chhillar, Akshit, Neeraj Narwal, Sandeep, Mohit, Anil Gurjar, Arkam Shaikh, Vijay, Ajinkya Ashok Pawar, Amit Bengaluru Bulls Ankush, Yogesh Bijender Dahiya, Sanjay, Ahmadreza Asgari, Alireza Mirzaeian, Dheeraj, Manish, Akash Santosh Shinde, Sachin, Chandranaik M, Lucky Kumar, Manjeet, Pankaj, Sahil Suhas Rane, Shubham Rahate, Shubham Bitake, Shubham Rahate, Amit Singh Thakur, Mahipal Bengal Warriorz Devank Dalal, Nitesh Kumar, Jang Kun Lee, Omid Khojasteh Mohammadshah, Ashish, Parteek, Matyu Kadam, Himanshu, Sandeep, Ankit, Harander, Vishwas S, Yash Malik, Manjeet, Deep Kumar, Sushil Kambrekar, Mandeep, Moolchandra Singh
