Vijayaulkashmi has returned to competitive chess after more than five years. | Photo Credit: Special Management
India’s first female Grand Master (WGM) and Arjun Award SS Vijayaalshmi returned to the Bangalore International Grand Masters Open Chess Tournament after more than five years in competitive chess.
Vijayalashmi first took a break from the game in 2007, when his father passed away. He took another break during the Covid 19 pandemic diseases. “I don’t need any pressure to play. Chess is my passion and my first love. You can call me for a game any day, and I will stay there,” said Vijayalashmi.
She supported her husband, the Grand Master Sarirum Jha through a thick and thin, while adding that the challenges are challenges to maintain a balance between chess and family life. He said, “Marriage was never a shock to me, but it is for many other people in the game. Yet, being a mother meant that whenever I play the tournament, I was stealing time with my child.”
While the first WGM from the country is a special career, Vijayulkashmi was very proud to win two silver medals at the Chess Olympiad (2000, 2002).
Unlike some of his colleagues, Vijayaalshmi believes that there is a place for gender titles. “I am very proud that she has become a female Grand Master. Millions of little girls have been encouraged to play. Just because I am able to play in men’s competitions, it doesn’t mean that I should only lose the opportunity to play in the tournament.”
The 46 -year -old added that women face their challenges in chess. “People say that men and women can cope equally, because chess is a game of mind. But they also forget that this is also a game. You need physical tolerance and you need to use you to maintain mental tolerance. Women have a child’s birth, menstruation and other physical modification.”
Appeared – 19 April, 2025 07:30 pm
