In the quiet town of Ongole, where ordinary lives unfold in routine patterns, an extraordinary story of determination, sacrifice, and ambition is being written every day—on the chessboard and beyond.
At just 13 years old, Aamuktha Guntaka is not your average schoolgirl. A Women Candidate Master (WCM) with a current rating of 2068, she has already begun carving a path that most seasoned athletes would admire. Her journey in the world of chess began just four years ago, at the age of nine, when she played her first tournament—the KLU Rapid Chess in Vijayawada. From that modest debut to earning international medals and standing on national podiums, Amukta's rise has been meteoric.
But behind every move on the board, there is a deeper story—one that doesn’t appear in rating lists or tournament results. It is the story of her mother, Jyoti, a woman who once held a prestigious position as a Regional Manager in a reputed insurance company, and chose to give it all up—not for personal comfort, but for a dream that wasn’t her own.
A Career for a Career
Jyoti made the conscious decision to step away from her corporate career, understanding that nurturing Amukta’s immense potential would require more than just moral support. It would demand time, energy, and most of all—sacrifice. She invested her entire savings—close to ₹20 lakhs since 2021—into her daughter’s training, tournaments, and travel. To sustain the family, Jyoti started an online clothing business, balancing entrepreneurship with the role of a full-time mentor and caregiver.
When asked about the future, Jyoti doesn’t speak of fame or wealth. “Chess is not just a game,” she says, “If Amukta can achieve something like the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title, it will be more than enough—not just for the sport, but for her academic and personal growth as well.”
Achievements on and off the Board
Amukta’s list of achievements is impressive for someone so young. She’s always been a top student at PVR Girls High School, Ongole, where she now studies in 9th standard, balancing academics with 4–5 hours of daily chess practice, yoga, and meditation.
Her chess career is already decorated with state and national honors:
Anhra Pradesh State Titles:
2024: U-17 Girls Champion,
2023: U-11 Runner-up,
2024: U-13 Runner-up
National Performances:
8th place in U-11 National Girls (Vizag), 2023.
15th place in U-13 Girls (Hyderabad), 2023
6th Place in n U-15 Girls (Maharashtra), 2023
4th place in U-13, 5th in School Nationals (Peddapuram) in 2025
3rd in National Women Team Championship (Ahmedabad) in 2025
3rd in National Amateur Under-2300, 2025
International Highlights:
2025 Western Asia Youth Championship (Tajikistan): Gold medal (Individual)
Silver (Team - Rapid), Bronze (Team - Blitz and Classical)
2025 Sharjah Masters: 113 ELO rating points gained, helping her earn her WCM title
Her training is currently under the guidance of Kings Chess Academy coaches Saketh P and Mehar Chinna Reddy, while her foundation was laid under the mentorship of Sri Ramaraju garu.
A Call for Recognition and Support
The story of Jyoti and Amukta is not just about a mother and daughter—it is about the thousands of talented players in India whose dreams flicker between brilliance and uncertainty due to lack of support.
Despite her achievements, sponsorship has remained elusive. Chess, while intellectually celebrated, doesn’t enjoy the sponsorship ecosystem that more glamorous sports do. For children like Amukta—disciplined, talented, and goal-oriented—the road to international excellence requires not just dedication, but financial backing.
There are no structured grants or schemes consistently supporting emerging chess players from government bodies. While some make it against the odds, many fall behind due to lack of timely assistance.
Corporate India’s Role in Creating Champions
In a world where Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming a platform for real impact, Aamuktha Guntaka represents an ideal opportunity. Here is a young girl with the intellect, discipline, humility, and achievements to make the nation proud. Her story is a reminder that talent thrives best when nurtured—not just by family, but by a society that believes in her.
Sponsorship for international tournaments, training, coaching, and equipment can transform not just Amukta’s journey, but also set an example for others walking the same path.
Chess may be a game of kings and queens, but it needs patrons—visionaries who recognize that the next grandmaster might be a young girl practicing quietly in a small town in Andhra Pradesh, with her mother cheering from behind.
KV/-