Fourteen-year-old prodigy Vritika Krushna Game has emerged as Maharashtra’s new chess champion after clinching the State Women’s FIDE Rating Selection Chess Championship held in Vasai, Palghar. Outplaying 45 competitors from across the State, Vritika remained unbeaten in all eight rounds, securing a flawless score of 8 points. Her victory is historic for Nagpur, as she was the district’s sole representative in the tournament.

 

Behind her success stands the guidance of coach Nilesh Channawar of Brilliant Chess Academy, whose mentorship has been instrumental in shaping her strategic brilliance and competitive spirit. During the tournament Vritika faced Maharashtra’s strongest women players, including WCM Mrudula Garg (Mumbai), city-mate Shraddha Bajaj, Vaishnavi Deshpande (Pune), Rutuja Phadke (Thane) and Sakshi Patil (Kolhapur). The Chess Association of Nagpur congratulated Vritika on her remarkable achievement. Bhushan Shrivas, Secretary of the Chess Association Nagpur, praised her dedication and discipline. SS Soman, Working President, hailed her victory as a proud moment for the city and a milestone for women’s chess in Maharashtra.