Ishita Rao, an 11-year-old class 6 student from Nagpur, won the state open rapid chess championship on Sunday, becoming the youngest winner in the event's history. She scored 8 points from 9 rounds and beat three titled players along the way.
Rapid chess gives each player 15 minutes plus 10 seconds per move. The field of 240 players included adults with decades of tournament experience.
Ishita learned to play from her grandfather, a retired bank officer, during long school closures a few years ago. "We played every evening after dinner," she said. "He used to let me win. Now he says he cannot."
Her tournament
- Seven wins, two draws, no losses.
- A win in round six against the top seed, in a long endgame with rook and pawns.
- A quick draw in the final round to secure first place.
Her coach, Suresh Pande, said her biggest strength was calm. "Children usually play fast when they are winning. She slows down and checks everything," he said.
Ishita's parents said she would continue at her regular school and play tournaments mainly in the holidays. Her next target is the national under-12 championship in December. "And to beat Dada without him letting me," she added.
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