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 5 talented young women players
Training
In collaboration with renowned national and international players, we have launched 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. The initiative is designed to identify promising talent, connect them with suitable coaches, and organize tournaments that support their growth.
The first cohort of the program supported Vantika Agrawal, Savitha Shri Baskar, Shubhi Gupta, Charvi Anilkumar, and Saparya Ghosh, with a total commitment of INR 2 crores towards their training, travel, coaching, and tournament participation.
For the second and current cohort, consisting of Vantika Agrawal, Charvi Anilkumar, Sahithi Varshini Moogi, Shubhi Gupta, and Sarayu Velpula, Pravaha has pledged another INR 2 crores, reinforcing its commitment to long-term investment in emerging chess talent.
Charvi Anilkumar
Age 10
Under 8 World Cadet Champion 2022, 6 medals in the Asian Youth Championship 2022
Sahithi Varshini Moogi
Age 17
Fide Master 2023, Woman International Master 2022, Woman Fide Master 2019, and Woman Candidate Master.
Vantika Agrawal
Age 22
11th Indian woman to become International Master, Woman Grandmaster, 2 gold medals at the 45th Chess Olympiad in 2024 at Budapest.
Shubhi Gupta
Age 15
37th National Junior Girls Champion 2023, 2022 Commonwealth Youth Chess Champion
Sarayu Velpula
Age 19
38th National Junior Girls Chess Championship 2024 Runner-up and National Under-17 Girls 2023 Runner-up.
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 5 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 conducted a
15-day training camp in Budapest, from
4 January to 17 January, 2024.
Led by the legendary Judit Polgar, the Hungarian Chess
Grandmaster, the training took place at her esteemed
academy, catering exclusively to top seven
Indian 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.
© Copyright 2024, Pravaha Foundation