Indian Women Advance in FIDE Women's Chess Cup Batumi

Indian chess is witnessing significant progress with both male and female players making notable strides internationally. The Chola Chess Initiative in Chennai has been praised by World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand as a vital platform for nurturing emerging talents, with rising star R Praggnanandhaa highlighting its free access and extensive resources. At the FIDE Women's World Chess Cup in Batumi, several Indian women, including Koneru Humpy, Vantika Agrawal, D Harika, R Vaishali, and Divya Deshmukh, have advanced to the later rounds, showcasing strong performances against top global competitors. Woman International Master K Priyanka caused an upset by defeating higher-ranked Zsoka Gaal in a tiebreaker blitz, advancing to the round of 64 and exemplifying the growing strength of Indian female chess players inspired by their male counterparts. The tournament is intensifying as the top finishers will earn entry into the Candidates tournament, highlighting the increasing stakes and visibility for Indian chess on the world stage. This momentum reflects a broader surge in Indian chess, with recent achievements from players like D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi further cementing the country's rising dominance.