WGM Vantika Agrawal, a 22-year-old chess prodigy from Delhi, has established herself as one of India’s top female players. Despite winning double gold medals at the 2024 Chess Olympiad and holding the prestigious Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title, she continues to face challenges. Vantika Agrawal’s struggle highlights the difficulties faced by talented players in regions with limited chess culture.
She took her first steps in chess by chance, stumbling into her school’s chess room with her brother during a free period. What started as curiosity soon turned into passion, leading her to train at the Genius Chess Academy in Noida before working with esteemed Grandmasters like Praveen Thipsay, Tejas Bakre, and Vishnu Prasanna.
“No Culture of Chess in North India”
Despite her success, Vantika highlights the stark difference between North and South India in terms of chess culture. “In the South, there are established academies and a structured system for chess players. In North India, that culture is missing,” she said in an interview with the Times of India.
She also noted the general lack of awareness about chess as a career. “People still ask, ‘Chess is fine, but what do you really do? What are you studying?’ Even after winning multiple medals, the perception remains the same.”
This absence of a strong chess ecosystem in North India has made it harder for players like Vantika to get the recognition and opportunities they deserve. Unlike many international grandmasters who receive direct invitations to elite tournaments, she has to rely on open tournaments to improve her rating and prove herself.
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The Road to Grandmaster Title
Currently rated 2411 by FIDE as of February 2025, Vantika has set her sights on crossing the 2500 rating mark and earning the Grandmaster title. She follows a rigorous training schedule, dedicating six to eight hours daily to chess. Her preparation includes solving puzzles, reading books by legends like Bobby Fischer and Mikhail Tal, and working closely with top coaches.
During tournaments, her schedule becomes even more intense starting with morning yoga and meditation, followed by deep game preparation, match play, post-game analysis, and studying opponent strategies for the next rounds.
“Blitz is my favorite format because of its fast-paced nature, but Chess960 is also exciting since it removes opening preparations and tests pure skill,” she said.
Family Support and Sacrifices
Behind every great chess player is a strong support system. Her mother has played a crucial role throughout Vantika Agrawal’s struggle. A Chartered Accountant by profession, she gave up her job to travel with Vantika, ensuring she never missed a tournament. “Without her, none of this would have been possible,” Vantika acknowledged.
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