The 45th Chess Olympiad in 2024 saw the Indian women’s team secure a gold medal with Harika Dronavalli playing a key role in the victory. Born in 1991 in Guntur, India, she has established herself as a significant figure in professional chess, earning top rankings within FIDE and multiple accolades for her performance on the international stage.
Development and Early Career
Raised in a Telugu family, Dronavalli attended Sri Venkateswara Bala Kuteer school. Her early interest in chess led to competition at a young age, starting with a medal in the under-9 national championship. Following a silver medal in the world youth chess championship for under-10 girls, she began training under NVS Ramaraju. Her progression through the ranks was swift, achieving the Woman International Master title in 2003 as the youngest in the Asian continent, followed by the Woman Grandmaster title in 2004.
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Dronavalli achieved the International Master title in 2007 and became the second woman from India to earn the Grandmaster title in 2011. Her consistency in major tournaments is reflected in three bronze medals won at the Women’s World Chess Championship in 2012, 2015, and 2017. In 2016, she won the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Chengdu, China, which improved her FIDE world ranking from 11th to 5th. She also represented India in the 2010 Asian Games.
Awards and Recognition
The government of India recognized her contributions to sports with the Arjuna Award for the 2007–08 period. Later, she received the Padma Shri on 26 January 2019. Beyond government honors, she was named Chess Player of the Year in both 2016 and 2017 by The Times of India in their annual awards. In 2017, she was listed by Verve magazine as one of the year’s top 40 popular female sportspersons.
Personal Life
Dronavalli married Karteek Chandra, who is based in Hyderabad, in August 2018. She continued to compete during her pregnancy, participating in the 2022 Chess Olympiad while in her ninth month. She gave birth to her first child on 24 August 2022 shortly after the conclusion of that event.
Fast facts
- Born: 1991, Guntur, India
- Grandmaster title: 2011
- Padma Shri award: 2019
- Arjuna Award: 2007-08
- Language: Telugu
- Education: Sri Venkateswara Bala Kuteer
Questions readers ask
When did Harika Dronavalli receive the Padma Shri?
She was awarded the Padma Shri on 26 January 2019.
Is Harika Dronavalli a Grandmaster?
Yes, she earned her Grandmaster title in 2011, becoming the second woman from India to achieve it.
Achievements
- Competed at 2010 Asian Games, Women's Chess Olympiad 2004 and Women's Chess Olympiad 2006
- Discipline: esports and chess
