NEW DELHI: India’s top chess players, who showcased their brilliance on the international stage last year, have earned well-deserved nominations for the prestigious Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2024.
Ready for a fierce contest, these exceptional athletes will compete for top honours in the men’s, women’s, and para chess categories.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The Chess Player of the Year award will be announced on February 22, in a spectacular ceremony in Lucknow, the esteemed 'City of Nawabs.'
Here are the chess wizards nominated for TOISA 2024:Chess Player of the Year-MenGukesh DommarajuDate of Birth: 29 May 2006
Place of Birth: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Sport: Chess
Major Achievements in 2024
- Peak FIDE Rating: 2794 (October 2024)
- Winner of the Candidates Tournament
- 45th Chess Olympiad Gold (Team)
- 45th Chess Olympiad Gold (Individual)
- World Chess Championship Winner
Gukesh Dommaraju (born 29 May 2006) is an Indian chess prodigy and world chess champion. In 2024, he achieved a peak FIDE rating of 2794 and made history by winning the Candidates Tournament. He led his team to victory in the 45th Chess Olympiad, securing both team and individual gold medals. Gukesh solidified his legacy by beating Ding Liren of China in Singapore and clinching the World Chess Championship. At the age of 18, he is also the youngest-ever world chess champion.
Arjun ErigaisiDate of Birth: 3 September 2003
Place of Birth: Warangal, Telangana
Sport: Chess
Major Achievements in 2024
- Peak FIDE Rating: 2801 (December 2024)
- Winner of Menorca Open A
- Winner of Stepan Avagyan Memorial 2024
- Gold Medal at the 45th Chess Olympiad (Individual)
- Gold Medal at the 45th Chess Olympiad (Team)
- Winner of 2024 WR Chess Masters Cup
- Became 16th player worldwide to cross 2800 FIDE ratings
- Ended the year as India No. 1
Arjun Erigaisi (born 3 September 2003) is an Indian chess grandmaster and a rising star in the global chess arena. In 2024, he reached a career-high FIDE rating of 2801, becoming the 16th player in history to cross the prestigious 2800 mark. His exceptional year included triumphs at the Menorca Open A, Stepan Avagyan Memorial, and the WR Chess Masters Cup. Arjun also clinched individual and team gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad, playing a pivotal role in India's dominance. Ending 2024 as India’s No. 1, he firmly established himself as one of the world's elite chess players.
Rameshbabu PraggnanandhaaDate of Birth: 10 August 2005
Place of Birth: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Sport: Chess
Major Achievements in 2024
- Peak FIDE Rating: 2757 (July 2024)
- Placed 5th in Candidates Tournament
- 45th Chess Olympiad Gold (Team)
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa (born 10 August 2005) is an Indian chess prodigy who has consistently demonstrated his exceptional skill on the global stage. In 2024, he achieved a peak FIDE rating of 2757 and delivered a strong performance by securing 5th place in the highly competitive Candidates Tournament. He also played a crucial role in India's triumph at the 45th Chess Olympiad, earning a team gold medal.
Viswanathan AnandDate of Birth: 11 December 1969
Place of Birth: Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu
Sport: Chess
Major Achievements in 2024
- Winner of Leon Masters for the 10th time in his career
- Quarterfinalist of WR Chess Masters Cup
- One of India's top-rated chess players
Viswanathan Anand (born 11 December 1969) is an iconic Indian chess grandmaster and a former five-time world champion. In 2024, he continued to showcase his brilliance by winning the prestigious León Masters for a record 10th time. As one of India’s top-rated players, he also reached the quarterfinals of the WR Chess Masters Cup, demonstrating his enduring skill and competitive spirit. Anand's legacy as a trailblazer and inspiration in the chess world remains unmatched.
Pentala HarikrishnaDate of Birth: 10 May, 1986
Place of Birth: Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
Sport: Chess
Major Achievements in 2024
- Key Player, 45th Chess Olympiad Gold-winning Indian Team
- Part of Gukesh's preparation team for World Championship
Harikrishna Pentala (born 10 May 1986) is a seasoned Indian chess grandmaster known for his strategic depth and vast experience. In 2024, he played a crucial role in India's gold-winning performance at the 45th Chess Olympiad, contributing significantly to the team's success. Harikrishna also served as a key member of Gukesh Dommaraju’s preparation team for the World Chess Championship, showcasing his expertise in top-level preparation. His invaluable contributions contin- ue to elevate Indian chess on the global stage.
Chess player of the Year - WomenKoneru HumpyDate of Birth: 31 March 1987
Place of Birth: Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh
Sport: Chess
Major Achievements in 2024:
- Gold in World Rapid Championship
- Silver at Women's Candidates Tournament
India’s first-ever women’s World Rapid Chess Champion, Humpy is a legend in Indian chess with consistent top performances. In 2024, she secured Gold at the World Rapid Championship and Silver at the Women's Candidates Tournament, reinforcing her elite status. Her sharp calculations and endgame strategies have made her a formidable force in international chess for nearly two decades.
Vaishali RameshbabuDate of Birth:10 May, 1986
Place of Birth: Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
Sport: Chess
Major Achievements in 2024:
- 45th Chess Olympiad Gold (Team)
- 45th Chess Olympiad Gold (Individual)
- Bronze in World Blitz Championship
A rising star, Vaishali is known for her tactical brilliance and solid team performances. In 2024, she claimed double Gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad, both for the Indian team and individual board excellence. Her Bronze in the World Blitz Championship highlights her versatility across rapid and classical formats.
Vantika AgrawalDate of Birth: 28 September 2002
Place of Birth: Uttar Pradesh
Sport: Chess
Major Achievements in 2024:
- 45th Chess Olympiad Gold (Team)
- 45th Chess Olympiad Gold (Individual)
Vantika is celebrated for her aggressive style and reliability in team events. A crucial contributor to India’s 2024 triumphs, she won double Gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad in the team and individual categories. Her consistency under pressure continues to set her apart as a key player in India's chess revolution.
Tania SachdevDate of Birth: 20 August 1986
Place of Birth: Delhi
Sport: Chess
Major Achievements in 2024:
- 45th Chess Olympiad Gold (Team)
One of the most prominent voices in chess broadcasting, Tania is globally recognised for her insightful commentary. In 2024, she added another feather to her cap with a team Gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad, showcasing her on-board acumen. Balancing chess and media, Tania is a dynamic ambassador for the game, inspiring players and fans worldwide.
Divya DeshmukhDate of Birth: 9 December 2005
Place of Birth: Nagpur
Sport: Chess
Major Achievements in 2024:
- 45th Chess Olympiad Gold (Team)
- 45th Chess Olympiad Gold (Individual)
- World Junior Championship (Girls' individual)
- Sharjah Challengers champion
- 2024 FIDE World U20 Girls Chess Champion
Known for her fearless approach and precocious talent, Divya is a standout figure in Indian chess. In 2024, she clinched double Gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad (Team & Individual) and triumphed at the World Junior Championship (Girls' Individual). As the 2024 FIDE World U20 Girls Chess Champion and Sharjah Challengers victor, Divya continues to solidify her place among chess elites.
Para Chess Player of the YearSharon Rachel AbyDate of Birth: January 1, 2009
Place of Birth: Chennai, India
Sport: Para Chess
Major Achievements in 2024:
- Gold at Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities
- Bronze at 23rd IPCA World Individual Chess Championship in Armenia
Sharon Rachel Aby, born on January 1, 2009, is an inspiring Indian chess player from Tamil Nadu, who has overcome immense challenges to excel in her sport.
Diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a condition that limits her physical mobility, Sharon discovered her passion for chess at a young age. Despite her disability, she has showcased incredible mental strength and tactical brilliance on the chessboard.
In 2024, Sharon achieved remarkable milestones. She secured a gold medal at the Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities and represented India at the prestigious 23rd IPCA World Individual Chess Championship in Armenia.
Additionally, she earned 7th place at the Paralympics Asian Games, proving her competitive spirit on an international stage.
Samarth J RaoDate of Birth: January 1, 1999
Place of Birth: Basrur, Karnataka
Sport: Para Chess
Major Achievements in 2024:
- Gold at Tata Steel 4th All India Specially-abled Chess Championship
- Silver at 2nd Asian Championship for Players with Disabilities 2024 Open
Samarth J Rao, an accomplished chess player from Basrur, Karnataka, has made significant strides in the world of chess, especially in tournaments for specially-abled athletes.
In 2024, Samarth continued to build on his impressive career, marked by his remarkable achievements in both national and international competitions.
One of his major accomplishments in 2024 was winning the Tata Steel 4th All India Specially-abled Chess Championship in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Despite facing challenges in the penultimate round, he made a brilliant comeback, securing the title with a score of 7.5 out of 9 points.
The victory marked his second consecutive championship win in the tournament.
Samarth's growth as a chess player is reflected in his FIDE rating, which reached 1,873 by December 2024.
Venkata Krishna KarthikDate of Birth: 1986
Place of Birth: Andhra Pradesh
Sport: Para chess
Major Achievements in 2024:
- Gold at 2nd Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities
- Second at Tata Steel 4th Specially Abled All India Chess Championship
Venkata Krishna Karthik, a prominent Indian para chess player, made significant strides in the sport in 2024. His dedication and passion for the game were evident in his impressive performances across various competitions, particularly within the para chess community.
One of his major achievements in 2024 was securing the Gold medal at the 2nd Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities in November, where he scored an outstanding 6/9 points in the Open Physical Impairment category. The victory reinforced his status as a top-tier player in the para chess circuit.
Additionally, Karthik showcased his skill at the Tata Steel 4th Specially Abled All India Chess Championship held in June, finishing as the runner-up with 7.5/9 points.
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