Chennai’s Chess Legacy: Vijayalakshmi Celebrates India’s Dominance and Future Potential in the Game
Chennai: Chess Icon Vijayalakshmi Declares India’s Supremacy in Chess
In a recent interview with PTI, Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi, the first Indian woman to earn both the International Master (IM) and Women’s Grandmaster (WGM) titles, expressed her unwavering belief in India’s dominance in the chess world. “We are the strongest chess-playing nation in the world, and we are going to become even stronger,” she asserted, highlighting the vibrant chess culture that has flourished in her hometown of Chennai.
Vijayalakshmi, now 47, reminisced about the pioneers of Indian chess, including Manuel Aaron, the country’s first IM, and Vishwanathan Anand, the first Indian male Grandmaster. “It all started with us, all from Chennai,” she noted, emphasizing the city’s pivotal role in shaping India’s chess legacy.
The chess scene in Chennai continues to thrive, with emerging talents like Gukesh, Pragnanandha, and Vaishali making waves on the international stage. “It’s like a crop that is continuously growing,” she remarked, attributing this success to the foundational work laid by earlier players. “This was the kind of basement that was laid, making it easier for new players to pick it up.”
Reflecting on her own journey, Vijayalakshmi shared her near-miss in achieving the Grandmaster title, having secured four GM norms but falling short by just two rating points. “It has been an amazing journey,” she said, hinting at a potential comeback to competitive chess. “I believe I can still achieve that GM title in the next few years.”
The emotional weight of her father’s passing in 2007, who was also her coach, led her to step back from the game for nearly three years. “It was the most difficult phase of my life,” she recalled, describing how the memories of her father made it hard to return to the chessboard.
Despite her hiatus, Vijayalakshmi remains optimistic about the future of Indian chess. She expressed confidence in Vaishali, who recently became the first Indian to win the Women’s Candidate tournament, and is poised to compete for the world title. “If she wins, we will have both men’s and women’s world champions,” she added, celebrating the achievements of the next generation of players.
As the chess community eagerly awaits her return, Vijayalakshmi’s passion for the game and her belief in India’s chess supremacy continue to inspire players and fans alike.