Andhra Pradesh Girls Shine Bright at 35th National U-17 Chess Championship 2026
In a remarkable display of talent and consistency, the Andhra Pradesh girls made a powerful mark at the 35th National Under-17 Girls Chess Championship 2026, organized by the Gujarat State Chess Association on behalf of the All India Chess Federation at Ahmedabad.
Leading the charge was WFM Saranya Devi Narahari, who delivered an outstanding performance to secure 2nd place with 8.5 points, earning a cash prize of ₹70,000. Demonstrating excellent positional understanding and fighting spirit throughout the tournament, Saranya remained among the top boards consistently and proved her strength against higher-rated opponents.
Another impressive performance came from WCM Sravyasri Bheemarasetty, who finished in 8th place with 7.5 points, securing ₹18,000. Her steady scoring across rounds and ability to convert critical games helped her break into the Top 10 at the national level.
Adding to the state’s success, AIM Vonti Tripurambika achieved 13th place, scoring strongly in a highly competitive field and winning ₹6,000. Her performance once again highlighted her consistency at national events.
Notably, all three players were part of the Andhra Pradesh team in the recent national team championship, underlining the depth and cohesion of the state squad.
WFM Saranya Devi Narahari (8.5/11)
Strong opening preparation with consistent results on top boards
Key victories against higher-rated and seeded players
Maintained unbeaten/near-unbeaten run deep into the tournament
Demonstrated excellent endgame conversion in crucial rounds
Sravyasri Bheemarasetty (7.5/11)
Balanced performance with wins across middle rounds
Crucial victories in rounds 6–9 pushed her into Top 10 contention
Stable play with minimal losses against strong opposition
AIM Vonti Tripurambika (7.5/11 )
Consistent scoring in early and middle rounds
Strong tactical play and fighting games
Held higher-rated opponents to secure a Top 15 finish
ACA Leadership & Presence
The achievement was widely celebrated by the Andhra Chess Association.
Sri KVV Sarma (Chairman), Sri A. Suresh (President), Sri K. Jagadish, and other officials congratulated the medal winners and all participants for their commendable performance.
Notably, Sri KVV Sarma (Chairman) and Sri K. Jagadish were present at Ahmedabad during the prize distribution ceremony, encouraging and supporting the players on this prestigious occasion.
ACA Announces Special Incentive
As per the regulations of the Andhra Chess Association, Sri A. Suresh (President) announced a cash incentive of ₹8,000 to WFM Saranya Devi Narahari for winning the Silver Medal at the National Championship podium, further encouraging excellence among state players.
Andhra Pradesh – Emerging Powerhouse
-
3 players in Top 20
- 2nd – WFM Saranya Devi Narahari (8.5 points)
- 8th – Sravyasri Bheemarasetty (7.5 points)
- 13th – AIM Vonti Tripurambika
- 1 Silver Medal
- Strong team presence and consistency
Andhra Pradesh stands among the top-performing states, with multiple players in Top 15, indicating depth and future title potential.
Traditional Leaders (Tamil Nadu / Maharashtra / West Bengal)
- Typically dominate national events with 4–6 players in Top 20
- Strong pipeline of titled and higher-rated players
- Consistent medal contention across categories
These states continue to lead in volume, but Andhra is closing the gap rapidly.
A New Golden Phase for Andhra Chess
This achievement marks more than just medals—it signals the beginning of a new generation cycle in Andhra Pradesh chess. These young players have not only demonstrated their talent but have also created a pathway and inspiration for upcoming children to take up the sport seriously.
The current phase can truly be described as a golden period for Andhra Pradesh chess, with strong results emerging consistently at national events. The foundation laid today is expected to translate into international titles and major achievements by 2027, as this talented group continues to progress.
The Andhra Chess Association also extended congratulations to all Andhra players who participated in the U-17 National Championship, acknowledging their efforts and fighting spirit.
ACA