U-10 Chess rankings: Vizag girl Alana Meenakshi surges to World No. 2

Chess is a game of patience and concentration. On a competition level, progress can not take place overnight. However, this ten-year-old girl from Vizag is taking rapid strides in the chess world. Making us proud yet again, Alana Meenakshi stood second in the world in the Under-10 category (girls) in the latest rankings released by the International Chess Federation.

Expressing her excitement, Meenakshi’s mother, Dr Aparna shared, “I’m elated to reveal this brilliant news with all of you. My daughter – Alana Meenakshi, made it to the Top 2 in the World, in her Chess rankings, Under-10 (girls) category.”

Earlier this year, the young chess player from Vizag won at the All India Chess Federation National Online Championship 2021 in the U-10 girls category. At the tournament, Meenakshi played 11 rounds of chess, out of which she won 10 and drew the final round. By leading in points, she won the gold medal.

In a previous conversation with Yo! Vizag, Meenakshi’s mother talked about her idols and her goals for the future.

As far as the contributors behind the chess prodigy’s success go, Dr Aparna shared, “Her chess idols are Hungarian Judit Polgar and Soviet player Mikhail Tal. Polgar’s journey, in particular, inspires Meenakshi as she used to dominate at men’s chess tournaments. Meenakshi doesn’t believe her success to be hers alone. There have been many support elements in her journey to achieving so much in the chess arena. From her personal coach to her playing partners, she has many to thank for her achievements.”

Talking about Meenakshi’s future ambitions, she further added, “She had been playing onboard for her entire life. Her aim is to hone her skill and improve her international rating by participating in the tournaments. Her aim is to become a chess grandmaster and along the way, encourage more girls to take up chess.”