Harika Dronavalli Shines as She Qualifies for the Inaugural FIDE Women’s Freestyle Chess World Championship

Harika Dronavalli Qualifies for FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship

NEW DELHI: Indian women’s chess is currently a tale of two narratives. While Vaishali Rameshbabu and Divya Deshmukh are embroiled in a fierce contest at the Women’s Candidates in Cyprus, another Indian chess star, Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli, is making headlines for her groundbreaking achievement in a different format of the game.

At 35, Harika stands as one of the few women in India to have earned the prestigious Grandmaster title, and she has now qualified for the inaugural FIDE Women’s Freestyle Chess World Championship, set to take place next year. This qualification comes on the heels of her remarkable performance at the Grenke Chess Festival in Karlsruhe, Germany, where she clinched the top women’s prize at the Grenke Freestyle Open.

In a format that challenges even the most seasoned players, Freestyle Chess, or Chess960, randomizes the starting positions of the pieces, stripping away the comfort of opening theory. For many elite GMs, this unpredictability can be daunting. However, Harika approached her first freestyle tournament with a refreshing mindset. “I went with a blank state of mind, that okay, whatever comes, I have to accept it because it’s something very new for me,” she shared in an exclusive interview with Times of India.

Her journey through the Grenke Open was nothing short of spectacular. Harika not only secured victories against formidable opponents, including American GM Awonder Liang, but also held her own against the legendary Levon Aronian, a player widely regarded as one of the best in freestyle chess. “It felt like I’m back to what I always used to do,” she reflected, acknowledging the confidence boost this tournament provided after a hiatus from high-stakes competitions.

The road to Germany was not without its challenges. Harika faced logistical hurdles, including flight cancellations and train delays, reminiscent of her early days as a solo traveler. Yet, she embraced the chaos, finding joy in the unpredictability of her journey. “It reminded me of my childhood days,” she said with a smile.

The Grenke Open, touted as the largest open chess tournament globally, featured over 3,000 participants, creating an electric atmosphere. Harika described the experience as a sensory overload, reminiscent of her World Youth days. Despite the bustling environment, she maintained her focus, stating, “Once the game starts for me, I am completely out of the zone from everywhere.”

Since becoming a mother, Harika’s tournament appearances have been more selective, leading some to speculate about her shift away from the open section. However, she clarified that this was not a strategic decision but rather a natural evolution of her life circumstances. “I like to play in the open section. It just happened somehow due to circumstances,” she explained.

Now, with her success in Germany reigniting her passion for competitive play, Harika is eager to return to the open circuit. “I am always open to playing strong open tournaments. I really hope this year I’ll get back to some of them,” she asserted.

As she prepares for the FIDE Women’s Freestyle World Championship, Harika will join a formidable lineup of competitors, including Bibisara Assaubayeva and Dinara Wagner. “It’s nice that they started doing this for women now,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and promoting women in this innovative format.

With her unique journey and fresh perspective on the game, Harika Dronavalli is not just a participant in the upcoming championship; she is a trailblazer, paving the way for future generations of female chess players.