Sahithi Varshini secures second WGM norm at Kanizsa Open
Visakhapatnam International Master Sahithi Varshini secured her second Woman Grandmaster norm at the Kanizsa Open 2026 in Hungary. She scored five points from nine rounds, produced a 2429 performance rating and now needs one more norm.
Hyderabad: International Master Sahithi Varshini has moved a step closer to achieving the prestigious Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title by securing her second WGM norm at the Kanizsa Open 2026 in Hungary.
Sahithi scored five points from nine rounds, producing an impressive 2429 performance rating and gaining 37 FIDE rating points. Her live classical rating has now risen to 2313, taking her above the 2300 Elo mark.
The Visakhapatnam player delivered an impressive performance defeating GM Yeshaayahu Tzidkiya (2492) and IM Sahib Singh (2354). Her final-round victory against Sahib Singh was particularly memorable, as she showed tremendous fighting spirit and excellent technique in a long queen-versus-rook endgame.
With two WGM norms now secured, Sahithi needs just one more WGM norm with a 2400-plus performance to complete the requirements for the Woman Grandmaster title.
The achievement follows another strong international performance in France.
At the Juraflore International Chess Tournament in Les Rousses, Sahithi was adjudged the ‘Best Woman Player’ scoring 5/9 in a strong field and gaining 30 rating points.
Sahithi is the first woman player from Visakhapatnam to earn the International Master title. She has represented India at the Chess Olympiad and has won nine international medals, including Asian Championship titles in the Under-10 and Under-12 categories and a Commonwealth Championship gold medal in Under-10.
Sahithi’s remarkable chess journey has been guided by her father and coach, M. Lokeswara Rao, who has trained her since her early years.
With her live rating at 2313 and only one WGM norm remaining, Sahithi is now firmly on the path towards becoming a Woman Grandmaster, with her sights set on achieving even greater heights in international chess.