India's Shubhi Gupta wins gold, bronze at Commonwealth Chess Championships

Shubhi Gupta wins gold, bronze at Commonwealth Chess Championships

Chess prodigy Shubhi Gupta once again underlined her prowess as she clinched the girls U-16 gold and girls U-20 bronze medal in the just concluded Commonwealth Chess Championships 2024 in Kalutara, Sri Lanka. A Women FIDE Master (WFM) and the reigning U-19 girls' national champion, Shubhi left a lasting impression with her impeccable performance in the U-16 category, securing seven wins and two draws. With an exceptional score of 8 points out of a possible 9, she outclassed her competition, finishing ahead of India’s Mrittika Mallick (7 points) and Yashvi Jain (6.5 points), who took second and third places respectively.

Not stopping at her U-16 triumph, Shubhi further showcased her competitive spirit in the open category, competing against seasoned Grandmasters (GMs), International Masters (IMs), and Women Grandmasters (WGMs). Her determined performance, scoring 4.5 points, led to a third-place finish in the U-20 girls' division, securing her a bronze medal.

Reflecting on her success, Shubhi said: “It was a fantastic experience, playing against some of the top international players. I am happy that I could perform consistently in both U-16 and the Open category. Winning the Commonwealth U-12 title and the World Cadet Championship were important milestones in my journey, and this latest success has boosted my confidence further. I am looking forward to playing many more Open tournaments this year and continuing to improve my game.”

Shubhi’s stellar achievements come with a prize purse of Rs 1,00,000, adding to her growing list of accolades. The young talent from Ghaziabad was first introduced to chess by her father and has consistently delivered outstanding performances on the national and international stages. She previously won the U-12 gold at the Commonwealth Youth Chess Championship and captured the World Cadet Championship title in the same age category two years ago.

"Shubhi’s impressive performance at the Commonwealth Chess Championships 2024 reflects her hard work and talent. At Pravaha Foundation, we focus on providing the right guidance and resources to help young players like Shubhi grow and compete at the highest levels. It’s rewarding to see how our support has contributed to her success in these prestigious tournaments, and we’re confident that she and other young talents will continue to excel," said Vinoda Kailas, Program Director of the Pravaha Foundation, who have been at the forefront of grooming young chess talents in the country.