Pravaha’s aim is to create more chess Grandmasters in India, who are women,
and to see them in the top 20 players in the world
Why Chess?
The game of chess was born in India, and we have seen a renaissance in terms of players with great talent and skill emerging from our country in this sport. In recognizing chess as a logical extension of our mission, we view it as a powerful avenue for highly able children and young adults in India to realize their potential, locally and globally.
However, the journey is not without hurdles, especially for female chess players who encounter greater challenges in securing support within our country. It is precisely this gap that we are committed to bridging through our focused efforts.
The Gameplan
Sponsorship
Through 64 Squares, a joint initiative with India’s top chess management agency, MGD1, we sponsor 6 talented young players - 5 girls and 1 boy.
Training
In collaboration with renowned national and international players, we are slated to launch world-class chess training programs for girls
Tournaments
We seek to strengthen the chess ecosystem by sponsoring highly reputed tournaments in India, that give young players the platform for growth and recognition.
64 Squares
In March 2023, Pravaha launched 64 Squares – a sponsorship program for women chess players – in collaboration with MGD1, India’s top chess management agency. It aims to identify promising players, suitable coaches, and organize tournaments that can feed their talent. Today, 64 Squares supports 6 exceptional chess players, and has committed INR 2 crores over 2 years for their training, travel, and other expenses.
Savithashri Baskar
Age 16
Achieved the title of Woman Grandmaster (WGM) in 2023
Shubhi Gupta
Age 13
37th National Junior Girls Champion 2023, 2022 Commonwealth Youth Chess Champion
Charvi Anilkumar
Age 9
Under 8 World Cadet Champion 2022, 6 medals in the Asian Youth Championship 2022
Vantika Agrawal
Age 20
11th Indian woman to achieve International Master (IM) title, 14th place in FIDE Women's Grand Swiss Tournament 2021, bronze medal in Indian National Women’s Championship.
Sponsorship
Competing on the international stage demands resources—time, money, and, for young female talents, considerations for travel and accommodation of accompanying guardians. To address the gaps in Indian chess, Pravaha launched 64 Squares - a sponsorship program for women’s chess – in collaboration with MGD1, India’s top chess management agency.
Under this program, Pravaha commits INR 2 crores over a two-year span for the comprehensive support of six exceptionally talented chess players, covering training, travel, and associated expenses.
Training
In pursuit of providing world-class chess training opportunities,
Pravaha, in collaboration with Microsense, proudly announces a
15-day training camp in Budapest, scheduled from
4 January, 2024 to 17 January, 2024.
Led by the legendary Judit Polgar, the Hungarian Chess
Grandmaster, the training will take place at her esteemed
academy, catering exclusively to our top seven women players.
This immersive experience embodies our commitment to
elevating the skills and potential of our female chess prodigies.
Tournaments
In addressing a major hurdle for our chess players, particularly women, the financial strain of
international tournaments poses a significant challenge. The necessity of traveling abroad for
norms and rating advancement adds to the complexity due to the limited availability of quality
tournaments in India
Pravaha is actively collaborating with diverse partners within the chess ecosystem to pave the
way for more tournaments on home soil. By fostering partnerships and initiatives, Pravaha aims
not only to elevate the caliber of tournaments in India, but also to create a more accessible and
nurturing environment for our chess talents.
The Program Portfolio
Other Initiatives
OUR Address
Plot No 682, 5th Floor, Babukhan Rasheed Plaza,
Rd. No 36, Aditya Enclave Jubilee Hills,
Hyderabad-500033, Telangana, India
Pravaha is an 80G and 12A certified organization.
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