In January 2024, the Judit Polgar Chess Foundation, in collaboration with the Pravaha Foundation, organized an intensive 14-day master course at the Judit Polgar Education Center in Budapest. The program brought together seven of India’s most talented young female chess players—Vantika Agrawal, Savitha Shri Baskar, Sarayu Velpula, Priyanka Nutakki, Rakshitta Ravi, Sahithi Varshini Moogi, and Tania Sachdev. This unique initiative provided them with an exceptional opportunity to enhance their skills under the personal mentorship of Grandmaster Judit Polgar.
A Transformative Experience
The daily schedule was meticulously crafted to challenge the participants. It included rigorous problem-solving exercises inspired by Judit’s own legendary training, targeted position-based practice games, and in-depth analysis of complex endgames. These sessions not only honed technical skills but also instilled critical thinking and resilience.
Judit shared invaluable lessons from her illustrious career, offering profound insights on overcoming challenges, building strategic depth, and cultivating mental fortitude. From mastering advanced endgames to engaging in creative problem-solving, the course highlighted chess as both a sport and an art, deepening the participants’ appreciation for its multidimensional beauty.
Building Confidence and Resilience
Over the 14 days of intense training, the participants forged bonds of camaraderie and found inspiration in one another’s dedication. The demanding yet rewarding experience left them with not only sharpened skills but also the confidence to take on the challenges of high-level competition.
Empowering the Future
A highlight of the course was the visit from Vinoda and Ravi Kailas, leaders of the Pravaha Foundation, who paid close attention to every detail of the program. Their dedication and support were instrumental in shaping this transformative initiative, which underscores the shared vision of both foundations to nurture young talent and empower future champions.
At the conclusion of the course, each participant received a certificate and a signed copy of Judit’s book, A Game of Queens, as a source of ongoing inspiration. The collaboration between the Judit Polgar Chess Foundation and the Pravaha Foundation stands as a testament to the transformative power of mentorship and collaboration in unlocking extraordinary potential.
UPDATE! Special congratulations to Tania Sachdev and Vantika Agrawal for their remarkable achievement of winning gold medals at the Chess Olympiad held in Budapest in 2024.
