Vantika Agarwal, the Indian chess prodigy, is back in the headlines after a remarkable performance at the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup in Batumi, Georgia. She made news by defeating former world champion Anna Ushenina of Ukraine in a tense second-round match that went down to the wire, ending 4.5-3.5 in Vantika’s favour. This win has advanced her to the third round of the prestigious tournament, where she will face another top opponent, GM Kateryna Lagno.
Who is Vantika Agarwal?
Vantika Agarwal is a 23-year-old International Master (IM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM) from Noida, India. She has quickly made her mark in the chess world. Born in Uttar Pradesh, she started playing chess at a young age and soon began collecting medals at state, national, and international events. Her journey began with encouragement from her family, and she credits her parents for their support throughout her career.
Vantika’s academic background includes studying at Amity International School, Noida, and earning a B.Com (Honours) degree from the Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University.
Achievements Of Vantika Agarwal
Vantika Agarwal’s chess resume is impressive:
- Three-time Chess Olympiad gold medalist, including two golds at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest in 2024.
- Arjuna Award winner in 2025, one of India’s highest sporting honours.
- Silver medalist at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou as part of the Indian women’s team.
- Best performing Indian player at the 2024 Tata Steel India Rapid and Blitz tournaments, placing solo third in rapid and joint third in blitz, ahead of senior Indian and international players.
- Strong runs in global tournaments, including the Qatar Masters, where she drew top-100 players and defeated Indian GM Prraneeth Vuppala.
- Became the 11th Indian woman to achieve the International Master (IM) title in 2023.
- Collected gold medals in international tournaments in Switzerland, Spain, and Norway in 2023.
- Her steady progress has brought genuine recognition from across the Indian chess community, including praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What’s Next For Vantika Agarwal?
Following her World Cup win over Ushenina, Vantika has her eyes set on even higher goals. She’s aiming to become a Grandmaster (GM), a title only three Indian women have ever achieved. With her current FIDE rating above 2400, she’s looking to break into the women’s top 10 globally in the coming year.
In her own words, Vantika Agarwal believes in working hard and enjoying chess without worrying too much about results, trusting that consistent effort will lead to success. As she prepares for her next tough match at the World Cup and future international tournaments, Vantika continues to be a bright representative of Indian chess on the world stage.
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