Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi: Pioneering Indian Chess and the Path to Future Greatness

India’s Chess Revolution: A Conversation with Pioneering Grandmaster Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi

Chennai, India — Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi, a trailblazer in Indian chess and the first woman in the country to earn both the International Master (IM) and Women’s Grandmaster (WGM) titles, believes that India has firmly established itself as the world’s leading chess nation. With a rich history and a promising future, she asserts that the country is only poised to grow stronger in the years ahead.

At 47, Vijayalakshmi reflects on the remarkable rise of chess in India, attributing much of this success to her hometown of Chennai. “We are the strongest chess-playing nation in the world today, and I believe we are only going to become stronger,” she stated confidently. The journey, she notes, began with pioneers like Manuel Aaron, India’s first International Master, followed by Viswanathan Anand, the nation’s first Grandmaster, and then herself as the first Woman Grandmaster — all hailing from Chennai.

Vijayalakshmi emphasizes that Chennai remains a vibrant hub for chess talent, citing the emergence of young stars like reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju and Grandmasters R Praggnanandhaa and his sister Vaishali. “It is like a crop that keeps growing continuously,” she remarked, highlighting the thriving chess culture that has flourished over the decades.

Reflecting on her own illustrious career, Vijayalakshmi expressed a lingering desire to achieve the full Grandmaster title. Despite coming agonizingly close—achieving four men’s Grandmaster norms but narrowly missing the required rating—she remains optimistic. “It’s so near yet so far,” she lamented. “I fell short by just two rating points. Had I crossed that mark, I would probably have become one of the earliest Indian women to achieve the men’s Grandmaster title as well.”

Despite the disappointment, she describes her journey in chess as deeply fulfilling and has not ruled out a return to competitive play. “I still believe I can achieve it. I am thinking seriously about returning to competitive chess, and hopefully over the next few years I can make another attempt,” she said.

Vijayalakshmi also opened up about the emotional challenges that led her to step away from the game at the peak of her career. The loss of her father, who was both her parent and coach, profoundly affected her. “My father passed away on August 15, 2007, and it became almost impossible for me to return to chess after that,” she recalled. The memories were overwhelming, making it difficult for her to re-enter the chess world.

“I stayed away from the game for nearly three years because of the emotional burden,” she shared. “Even when I was invited as a chief guest to chess events, entering a chess hall would bring back so many memories that I would start crying. It was extremely painful for me.”

Looking to the future, Vijayalakshmi is optimistic about the next generation of Indian chess players, particularly women. She expressed confidence that Indian women’s chess is on the verge of a historic breakthrough, especially with Vaishali qualifying for the World Championship. “Gukesh has already become world champion and is now the youngest world champion in the history of chess. That is an extraordinary achievement,” she noted. “Now Vaishali has qualified for the World Championship, and I am eagerly waiting for her to win the title as well.”

“If that happens, India will have both the men’s and women’s world champions at the same time. That would be a truly special moment for Indian chess and a reflection of how far the country has come,” she concluded.

As India continues to rise in the chess world, Vijayalakshmi’s journey serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of perseverance, passion, and the indomitable spirit of a nation dedicated to the game.