Gujarat’s Pragnika Vaka Crowned World Champion at FIDE World School Championship

Pragnika Vaka, a young chess prodigy from Gujarat, has made her mark on the international stage by clinching the world championship title in the under-7 girls’ category at the 2025 FIDE World School Championship in Serbia. The talented player scored a perfect nine out of nine points, emerging as the only Indian to win a gold medal across all age categories.

Out of the twenty-two students representing India at the competition, Pragnika’s outstanding performance stood out, bringing glory to the country. Along with her gold medal, India also secured two silver medals in the U-7 open and U-11 girls’ categories. Bijesh Divi and Om Esh Gottumukala were the proud recipients of the silver medals in their respective categories.

Pragnika’s journey into the world of chess began by watching her elder sister, Varenya, play the game. Despite Varenya’s success at the district and state levels, it was Pragnika who shone on the international stage, much to the surprise of their father, Ramanadh. He expressed his pride in his daughters’ achievements and credited Pragnika’s rapid rise to her dedication and talent.

Ramanadh shared that he instilled a sense of fearlessness in Pragnika by exposing her to tough competition early on, which helped her handle pressure situations with ease. His belief in her abilities paid off as Pragnika emerged victorious in Serbia, defeating top players from renowned chess-playing countries.

Pragnika’s success serves as an inspiration for young aspiring chess players in India, showcasing the potential and talent present in the country’s budding chess community. Her remarkable achievement at such a young age highlights the bright future ahead for Indian chess on the global stage.