Young Rajahmundry teenager Guddanti Harshitha overcame biting cold weather and bouts of fever to add two international medals to her kitty by winning silver medals in the Asian youth chess championship that concluded in Mongolia on Thursday.
She scored seven points out of nine by winning seven and losing two to finish second in the standard under-16 girls’ category, and later she won silver in the rapid segment as well. “She finished fifth in the blitz segment,” says Andhra Pradesh Chess Association secretary D. Srihari.
“She lost the two crucial rounds owing to fever as the weather was unbearable for several youngsters,” says Harshitha’s mother Sridevi.
Harshitha, a Class X student of TRIPS International School, started playing chess six years ago. After learning the basics, she is now being trained by Grandmaster Arun Prasad of Chennai online since 2014.
Before major tournaments Harshitha visits Chennai for intensive training for 10 days with Mr. Arun Prasad. Harshitha won Asian youth silver in Korea, Commonwealth under-16 bronze, National Juniors Bronze Medal in 2015.
“Harshitha’s aim is to become a championship player like Grandmaster Koneru Humpy and Dronavalli Harika and play for the country in the premier international tournaments,” says her mother.
Harshitha wants to go aboard to train under the best of coaches and also play more competitive tourneys but the major hurdle she faces is the lack of sponsors. “We are looking are sponsors to support Harshitha‘s dream of becoming a Grandmaster. It is getting increasingly expensive to travel for training and play in fixtures,” says Dr. Sridevi.
A class X student, she finished fifth in the blitz segment, says APCA secretary D. Srihari
