Rising Star: WCM Modipalli Deekshitha Climbs to 2454 Rating and Second in the World Among Girls Under 20
Rising Star: Modipalli Deekshitha Climbs Chess Rankings to Second in the World Among Girls Under 20
Hyderabad, India – In a stunning display of talent and determination, 14-year-old chess prodigy Modipalli Deekshitha has skyrocketed from a rating of 1985 to an impressive 2454 in just over a month, making her the second-highest-rated girl under 20 globally. This meteoric rise comes after her remarkable performances in four European tournaments, where she not only earned her first International Master (IM) norm but also surpassed renowned Indian Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli in the rankings.
Deekshitha’s journey began in France, where she participated in the La Plagne Masters and Les Menuires Masters, before heading to Spain and Portugal for the Pontevedra Open and Leca Chess Open. Her European tour culminated in a staggering gain of 469 rating points, with the last two tournaments alone contributing 297 points to her live rating.
At the Pontevedra Open, Deekshitha was seeded 81st among 92 participants but finished an impressive 13th with a score of 5.5 out of 9. Notably, she faced all titled opponents, including two Grandmasters and five International Masters, securing victories against several of them, including a stunning win against 2402-rated IM Facundo Vazquez. This performance earned her a 2465 rating performance, her first IM norm, and additional norms for Woman Grandmaster (WGM) and Woman International Master (WIM).
Her coach, IM Krishna Teja, praised her ability to handle pressure and recover from challenging positions, a skill that was evident throughout her European tour. “Deekshitha is comparatively good at handling pressure,” he noted, highlighting her strong comebacks in the latter stages of tournaments.
Deekshitha’s success is not just a recent phenomenon. Last year, she made headlines by defeating GM Manuel Petrosyan, who was rated over 600 points higher than her, at the KCA International Chess Festival. Earlier this year, she triumphed over IM Padmini Rout in the Indian Women’s Team Chess Championship, showcasing her potential on the national stage.
Her remarkable ascent in the chess world is a testament to her dedication and focus. Deekshitha began playing chess during the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2022 and quickly made a name for herself by winning the 2023 National Schools Under-11 Girls Championship. By 2025, she dominated the Indian National Under-13 Girls Championship, finishing unbeaten.
Deekshitha’s journey mirrors that of another student from her coach’s academy, Sarayu Velpula, who also achieved remarkable success in the same European tournaments three years ago. However, Deekshitha’s rapid rise at just 14 years old, crossing the 2450 rating mark, sets her apart as a unique talent in the chess community.
As she returns to India, Deekshitha remains focused on her goals. “My ultimate aim is to become a GM and world champion,” she stated, “but my current goal is to become a WIM or a WGM.” With her determination and skill, the chess world will undoubtedly be watching her next moves closely.