A LITTLE GIRL'S CHECKMATES

SCHOLARSHIPS, LOANS, A SISTER'S PAYCHECK - THE FAMILY GAMBIT FUELS THIS YOUNG CHAMPION'S DREAMS

- DIYA MARIA GEORGE

In a quiet corner of a tournament hall in Kazhakstan, a 10-year-old from Tamil Nadu sat diligently across the chessboard. Her first game at the World Cadet Chess Championship 2025 ended in a loss.

For a moment, her heart sank. Then, Sharvaanica AS remembered her vow to Lord Muruga. She straightened her pieces, whispered a prayer, and smiled.

What followed was a stunning climb, nine consecutive victories. In the final round, she faced a tough loss against America's Zhou Abigail, but her work was already done. Finishing with nine points out of 11, she was tied with Mongolia's Nandinjiguur Chinzorig. The tiebreak, their direct encounter, went to Sharvaanica, who had won their eighth-round match, securing her the gold medal.

Among nearly 30 Indian contenders, she was the sole title-winner. With this victory, Sharvaanica became the third Indian girl to claim the World Under-10 crown, following in the footsteps of Grandmasters Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh.