New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli is confused by the huge “void” in men’s and women’s chess in India and hopes the situation improves as there are several youngsters with potential in the country.
Harika, the three-time women’s World Championship bronze medallist and winner of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix, has been the flag-bearer of women’s chess in the country along with veteran Koneru Humpy, the Asian Games gold medallist.
Together, they have won the most trophies and accolades for the country and are currently also teammates in the Global Chess League (GCL) side upGrad Mumba Masters.
While the likes of young Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and D Gukesh have been creating waves among men and defeating several big names including five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen, the women’s scene in the country is far from encouraging.
“This (gap between men’s and women’s chess) even I don’t know, I am confused because a lot of young boys are coming up but girls… there is a huge void. But there are a few youngsters who are promising and coming up now, which is good. But I feel there is much more potential for more (women) players to come up,” Harika, the 2010 Asian Games bronze medallist, told
Source: PTI News
