- By Ridam Sharma
- Sat, 24 May 2025 03:26 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Women Chess Players In India: Chess is a game of the mind. To become the best in the game, you need to have the mental skills, along with strategic thinking. Indian chess players have garnered significant awards in world dynamics, especially women chess players, they have consistently brought home medals and accolades. Here’s a list of the top 10 Indian women chess players as of 2025, based on their FIDE ratings and recent achievements.
List Of Top 10 Women Chess Players In India:
Rank | Name | FIDE Rating | Notable Titles And Achievements |
1 | Koneru Humpy | 2543 | Grandmaster, World Rapid Champion, Padma Shri |
2 | Harika Dronavalli | 2483 | Grandmaster, 3x World Championship Bronze, Padma Shri |
3 | Vaishali Rameshbabu | 2475 | Grandmaster, World Junior Medalist |
4 | Divya Deshmukh | 2469 | International Master, World Junior Champion |
5 | Tania Sachdev | 2443 | International Master, Olympiad Gold Medalist |
6 | Vantika Agrawal | 2411 | International Master, Asian Games Silver |
7 | P V Nandhidhaa | 2380 | Woman Grandmaster, Asian Champion |
8 | Padmini Rout | 2356 | International Master, 5x National Champion |
9 | Bhakti Kulkarni | 2357 | International Master, Asian Champion |
10 | Rakshitta Ravi | 2365 | Woman Grandmaster, Youth Medals |
Koneru Humpy
Koneru Humpy is India's top-rated female chess player and a world icon. She was the youngest female Grandmaster in 2002, who broke all earlier records. She is a two-time World Rapid Champion, an Olympiad gold medalist, and the second woman ever to surpass 2600 Elo. She is also been awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award and Padma Shri for her contribution to Indian chess.
Top Women Chess Players In India (Image Credit: Instagram @koneruhumpy)
Harika Dronavalli
Harika Dronavalli is a Guntur Grandmaster who is famous for playing at the highest level consistently. She is a three-time bronze medalist of the Women's World Chess Championship and is the winner of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix. Harika is the second Indian woman to have scored over 2500 and has been awarded with the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri.
Top Women Chess Players In India (Image Credit: Instagram @harika.dronavalli)
Vaishali Rameshbabu
Vaishali Rameshbabu got her Grandmaster title in 2024. She, together with her brother Praggnanandhaa, is the first sibling pair to become Grandmasters and Candidates participants. Additionally, she's a multiple World Youth medalist and a prominent member of India's international teams.
Top Women Chess Players In India (Image Credit: Instagram @chessvaishali)
Divya Deshmukh
Divya Deshmukh became an International Master in 2023 and won the FIDE World Junior Girls Chess Championship in 2024. She was a major contributor to India's gold medal win at the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad.
Top Women Chess Players In India (Image Credit: Instagram @divyachess)
Tania Sachdev
Tania Sachdev is an International Master and Woman Grandmaster. She played a pivotal role in India's gold during the 45th Chess Olympiad and achieved her highest rating of 2443 in 2013.
Top Women Chess Players In India (Image Credit: Instagram @taniasachdev)
Vantika Agrawal
Vantika Agrawal is both a Woman Grandmaster and an International Master. She has three golds at the Chess Olympiad, a silver at the Asian Games, and has also won Commonwealth, World Youth, and Asian Youth multiple medals. She was recently honoured with the Arjuna Award.
Top Women Chess Players In India (Image Credit: Instagram @vantika_agrawal)
P V Nandhidhaa
P V Nandhidhaa is the 17th Indian Woman Grandmaster and the current National Women's Chess Champion (2024). She secured individual gold at the 2022 Asian Chess Championship and also has medals dedicated to her Commonwealth and Asian competitions gameplay.
Top Women Chess Players In India (Image Credit: Instagram @nandhidhaapv)
Padmini Rout
Padmini Rout is a five-time National Women's Premier Champion and the 2018 Asian Women's Champion. She has also won individual gold at the 2014 Women's Chess Olympiad and holds both the titles of IM and WGM.
Top Women Chess Players In India (Image Credit: Instagram @padminirout)
Bhakti Kulkarni
Bhakti Kulkarni is an International Master and Woman Grandmaster. She is also an award-winning Asian Women's Chess Champion and an Arjuna Awardee. She has represented India in several international tournaments.
Top Women Chess Players In India (Image Credit: FIDE)
Rakshitta Ravi
Rakshitta Ravi is the youngest in the list of the top 10 women chess players in India. She became a Woman Grandmaster at age 17. She has won medals at different youth levels and comes from a chess family, as both her parents are titled players.
Top Women Chess Players In India (Image Credit: Instagram @rakshichess)
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