Vantika Agarwal Eyes the Grandmaster Title in Chess Amidst Studies and Examinations

Vantika Agarwal hopes to make it to Grandmaster Title in 2023. She is doing her best to deal with her studies, examinations, and prepare for the Chess competitions.

Written by: Arjita Gupta

Edited by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Last Updated: 2023-05-16 08:32:17

Chess players typically unwind on flights after a challenging tournament while still mulling about potential outcomes or moves. Vantika Agarwal is an exception being just 20 years of age, and a Woman Grandmaster (WGM). She does not necessarily object to mentally going over those moves. She simply cannot afford it. Vantika carries an ELO rating of 2428 and is the third-ranked woman player In India, has to prepare for exams. And the young competitor says that the examinations are constantly looming over her head, rather than breaking down the games or researching her next opponent.

Even if chess is her top priority, she must continue studying to earn her Bachelor of Commerce with Honours. While juggling an Honors Degree and a professional career in chess is no easy task, the Delhi girl has discovered a creative approach to succeed in both. On the plane, my mum reads the book to me. I simply attempt to grasp and comprehend whatever is possible. Before the contests, her mother studies on her behalf and explains the stuff to her.

Her mother is acquainted with the principles of her studies, and is a chartered accountant herself, Vantika said a day after getting done with her final sixth-semester paper, which may be one of her last exams. She claims that her concentration may now finally be solely on chess. My family has made enormous sacrifices for me to get where I am, and now it's time to reward them for their work, she says. Vantika anticipated attempting every sport when she was eight years old.

She was interested in exploring every facet of chess from pawn structure, openings, middlegame, or things that may benefit her game strategy. Vantika realized that all she wanted to do was play chess once she started using those ideas and winning tournaments. She understood that other competitions and nations around India were in the next stages after scoring some outstanding victories on the regional circuit. The only issue was that being chartered accountants, neither of her parents had much free time in hand to take her to competitions.

At that point, her mother Sangeeta made the ultimate decision. She abandoned her thriving practice so she accompanies Vantika to all of the competitions and provided her unwavering support. It was a significant financial burden as well, particularly when traveling to play in international competitions. Vantika says it is a big relief to relieve her parents of the burden now that she has finally been able to secure some form of funding.

She gave everything a shot, including karate, skating, football cricket, tennis, and badminton. As a hobby, I enjoyed trying new things. I also took piano and art instruction. She adds that I took my parents' advice to try new things seriously because they had always pushed me to do so. Although she enjoys playing in the Classical format, Blitz is her first choice. There is no time for thought. We only practiced Blitz even as we were preparing for the Olympics the previous year.

Quick thinking and analysis are beneficial for various formats. She wishes to be a part of the Indian squad competing at the Asian Games this year in addition to becoming a Grandmaster. However, even at the young age of 20, she already has her long-term objective in mind: competing for the Women's World Championship title. She claims that 2023 will be her year. Vantika aims to achieve the Grandmaster title this year after setting her sights on it.

Honestly, I would have become a Grandmaster at the age of 14. Simply put, studying prevented her. They prevented me from taking part in numerous tournaments. Due to them, she canceled a few fully compensated international events. In chess, form is crucial, but due to frequent gaps, I was not able to keep it, which is why my performance occasionally took a setback sometimes. But now that is over, I am eager to reach my optimum performance, said Vantika.