Mahindra Scorpio TOISA 2018 Nominees: Chess

NEW DELHI: The third Mahindra Scorpio Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) powered by All-Out, is India’s first and largest multi discipline people’s choice sports awards. TOISA is a platform created by the Times Group to recognise and reward Indian sporting talent and achievements on a global scale and will be held soon to honour the lion hearts who have done the country proud.



Ahead of the 2018 TOISA to be held on February 26, here’s a recap of the Indian chess players that made heads turn in 2017.

HARIKA DRONAVALLI

In February, claimed a hat-trick of bronzes at the World Chess Championships in Tehran. Adjudged best women’s player at the Reykjavik Open, where she claimed six wins, two draws and two losses to finish 17th. Ended her campaign on a high with victory over Germany’s Jakob Pfreundt.

Member of Indian women’s team that beat the USA in round two of the World Women’s Team Chess Championship in Russia. Member of the Team Babuti Club Nona that won the European chess Club Championship in Antalya, Turkey.

VIDIT SANTOSH GUJRATHI

The Nashik-based Grand Master became the fourth Indian chess player to cross the 2,700 ELO rating points. The 22-year-old demonstrated his high quality talent by crossing the mark while representing Team Solvay in the Spanish Team Championship League in Linares. Became the fourth Indian - after Viswanathan Anand, Pentala Harikrishna and Krishnan Sasikiran - to achieve the creditable ELO rating that reflects the skill levels of a chess player. Finished joint third with 6.5 points at the Isle of Man Chess Championship.

DIVYA DESHMUKH

At 11, won gold, silver and bronze at the Asian Youth Chess Championship held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. With this podium finish, the Nagpur girl - the U-11 national champion - took her tally of international medals to 20. Won India’s only medal, a gold, at the World Cadet Chess Championship in Brazil. Went unbeaten across 11 days, claiming 9.5 points in the U-12 girls’ category. India’s youngest Women Fide Master.

R VAISHALI

Gold at the Asian Continental Blitz Championship, with eight points from nine rounds at the event in Chengdu, China.

To vote for your favourite archer and other Indian sports stars of 2017 ahead of this year’s Mahindra Scorpio TOISA, click here: https://www.thetimesofindia.online/toisa/toisa2018nominations.cms

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