I am so glad to see female chessplayers blossoming in India and garnering more and more press coverage. The enduring presence of current World Chess Champion GM Vishy Anand, who has been among the elite players in the world for years, and the second highest rated female chessplayer in the world, GM Koneru Humpy, along with a push for chess in schools at various (albeit somewhat disorganized) levels in India's states, and the appearance of a competing chess federation vying for players from All-India, has invigorated chess in India. Indeed, I don't think it's too much to say that, literally, chess has exploded in popularity in India within the past seven or so years, and there is a new crop of eager GMs, WGMs, IMs and WIMs bringing home fine performances in world-class events.
Here is another young lady to keep an eye on:
Andria L D’souza wins Karnataka State Under 17 Girls Chess Championship
Mangolorean.com
Mangalore October 15, 2010: Mangalore’s Chess prodigy
12 year old Andria L D’souza has won the Karnataka State Under 17 Girls Chess Championship 2010. The Championship was organised by SKDCA under the auspices of UKCA from 12th to 14th October at Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Mangalore.
Andria D’souza, FIDE rated 1696, in her glorious path to victory, defeated higher seeded Commonwealth chess silver medalist Shristi J Shetty FIDE rated 1958 (in 4th round) and Nisha Patkar FIDE rated 1747 (in 5th round). She scored a clean sweep victory with 5 points in as many rounds.
Andria D’souza is daughter of Victor D’souza and Smt avith D’souza. She is studying in 7th standard in St Agnes Eng Primary school, Mangalore. Her sister Vanessa D’souza is current State Under 15 (Sub Junior Girls) Champion and was also Asian qualifier.
She is selected to represent Karnataka in the National Under 17 Girls Chess Championship to be held during November at J & K.
