Sahithi Varshini earns third WGM norm, becomes Woman Grandmaster

Visakhapatnam chess player Sahithi Varshini has earned her third and final WGM norm, completing the requirements for the Woman Grandmaster title. She has made steady progress through strong international performances and now aims to achieve the prestigious Grandmaster title.

Hyderabad: The wait has finally ended for Sahithi Varshini.

The gifted chess player from Visakhapatnam, the City of Destiny, kept her date with destiny by earning the significant third and final WGM norm to become a Woman Grandmaster.

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By securing her third and final WGM norm in the recently concluded international tournament in Europe, she completed all the requirements for the title.

Sahithi produced an outstanding performance in the latest tournament. She finished runner-up with six points from nine rounds and recorded a 2408 performance rating. Her victories over strong opponents IM Neelash Saha and Vedant Panesar were among the highlights of her performance. Competing on equal terms with highly rated players and securing crucial victories demonstrated Sahithi’s steadily improving strength.

With this performance, Sahithi’s live classical rating has reached 2324.

In recent months, Sahithi has shown significant progress in her performances. At the Juraflore International Chess Tournament in France, she excelled in a strong international field and was named Best Woman Player. Competing against four IMs and one GM, she demonstrated her strength by securing victories against strong opponents.

Sahithi continued her impressive run at the Kanizsa Open 2026 in Hungary. She scored 5 points in 9 rounds, recorded a 2429 performance rating, and secured her second WGM norm. Her victories over GM Yeshaayahu Tzidkiya, rated 2492, and IM Sahib Singh, rated 2354, were particularly noteworthy.

Thus, after consistently delivering strong performances against tough international opponents, Sahithi secured her third WGM norm and became eligible for the WGM title. She had previously earned the Woman International Master (WIM) titles and is also recognised as the first woman chess player from Visakhapatnam to earn the WIM title.

Sahithi displayed exceptional talent in chess from a young age. She won Asian Under-10 and Under-12 titles, besides securing a Commonwealth Under-10 gold medal. She has also represented the Indian team at the Chess Olympiad. Her consistent performances at the international level have helped her steadily improve both her rating and playing strength.

Her father and coach, M. Lokeswara Rao, has played a crucial role in Sahithi’s chess journey. He has trained and guided her from a young age, helping her develop into a player capable of competing at the international level.

“The WGM title marks another significant milestone in Sahithi Varshini’s chess journey and a new beginning towards greater heights,” the proud father said.

“As a WGM, Sahithi will continue her international chess journey with the ambition of achieving the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title and reaching even greater heights in the world of chess,” he said.