Sportstar·India·Monday, November 9, 2026 at 08:35 AM UTC

From the city of destiny, Sahithi Varshini is on the road to stardom in world of chess

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V. V. Subrahmanyam

The gifted Sahithi, who recently won the coveted Woman Grandmaster title on the European circuit where she earned 45 FIDE rating points, has now set sights on winning the International Grandmaster title.

Updated : Nov 09, 2026 14:05 IST , HYDERABAD - 4 MINS READ

Across ten major tournament appearances, M. Sahithi Varshini has played 92 classical games, recording 33 victories, 26 draws and 33 defeats. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Across ten major tournament appearances, M. Sahithi Varshini has played 92 classical games, recording 33 victories, 26 draws and 33 defeats. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

From the ‘City of Destiny’ Visakhapatnam, M. Sahithi Varshini seems to be well and truly on the road to stardom in the world of chess, given her remarkable ability to outwit any player on her day and take the risks which many of her age prefer not to.

The gifted Sahithi, who recently won the coveted Woman Grandmaster title on the European circuit where she earned 45 FIDE rating points, has now set sights on winning the International Grandmaster title and more importantly is not keen to get into that preparatory mood once she is through with her Intermediate first year exams in Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan.

The fact that she held former world champion GM Anna Ushenina (ELO 2403) and GM Evgeny Postny (ELO 2493) for draws in Serbian Leagues was proof, if needed, of her growing stature.

“Definitely, my wins against GMs Filip Haring in Arad Grand Prix, GM Tzidkiya Yeshaayahu in Kanizsa Open, GM Paul Velten in Aix-en-Provence and GM Milko Popchev at Mramorak were immensely satisfying,” she said. Sahithi was also adjudged ‘best woman player’ in the Juraflore International tournament in France.

“It is not that I was expecting to get that significant title or not. But, it was not certainly my goal. My top priority is to stay focussed on the chess board and outwit the opponents, irrespective of his rating. And, honestly, I take on the opponent, not his reputation,” says a very confident and articulate Sahithi in a chat Sportstar.

“Frankly, my strong point has always been to show the desired discipline and come up with the right moves on the given day against any opponent. And, I have been training diligently to master this over the yers,” says Sahithi, who joined some illustrious names in chess from Telugu-speaking States like Konery Humpy, Dronavalli Harika.

M. Sahithi Varshini is now chasing the goal to become an International Grandmaster. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

“Yes, now I will be chasing the goal to become an International Grandmaster. There will be a conscious effort to keep improving for sure, learning from the mistakes which I might have made in the four-month Euorpean circuit recently,” says the young champion, who is mentored by father-cum-coach M Lokeswara Rao.

For sure, she misses the social life which any girl of her age will indulge in. But, significantly, she is more focussed on chess and is clearly enjoying every moment of triumph and also keen to ensure that mistakes are not repeated.

Sahithi, a huge fan of the great Bobby Fischer, believes the turning point of her career was when she won the Asian Under-12 championship in Thailand when she was 11.

“That I feel made me think that I am made up for much bigger moments of victory in the world of chess,” the Vizag girl said.

Across ten major tournament appearances, Sahithi played 92 classical games, recording 33 victories, 26 draws and 33 defeats. Her impressive performances against strong international opposition helped her gain approximately 45 FIDE rating points, improving her classical rating from 2264 to an estimated 2309.

Throughout this challenging campaign, she secured notable victories against Grandmasters and International Masters, demonstrating her growing strength and competitive ability on the international circuit.

“My ultimate goal is to reach the highest level in the sport. And, I look at my GM title and the satisfying European circuit as part of my journey towards that goal,” signs off Sahithi, who was the youngest member of the Indian squad in the 2022 Chess Olympiad.

Published on Nov 09, 2026

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