The players and Tata Steel believe that the introduction of equality in the prize amount will encourage more women to take up chess as a profession, speeding up the progress of women’s chess in India which has so far remained on a slower growth track as compared to men’s chess 

"We are encouraged by the enthusiasm and participation we have received and are determined to make this world-class chess competition even better.” - Chanakya Choudhary, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel

The interest in the women’s matches among the chess community in attendance at the event was proof that they are right on the mark. Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, says, “What better year to start this than FIDE’s (the French acronym for International Chess Federation) ‘Year Of The Woman In Chess’. Tata Steel Chess India is part of Tata Steel’s continuous and conscious effort to build an equitable and diverse environment while engaging with communities through meaningful activities. We are encouraged by the enthusiasm and participation we have received and are determined to make this world-class chess competition even better.”

“Tournaments like Tata Steel Chess India where our young players fight it out with International Grandmasters really helps the cause of producing newer champions.” - Viswanathan Anand, former World Champion

India’s first Grandmaster and former world chess champion Viswanathan Anand, the ambassador and advisor of the tournament, with R Vaishali. “Tournaments like Tata Steel Chess India where our young players fight it out with International Grandmasters really helps the cause of producing newer champions,” says Mr Anand. “Today, India is considered as chess powerhouse with both men and women excelling in the sport. The introduction of the women’s tournament with equal prize money as the men’s category is a welcome move and an excellent initiative, and we hope it is as well-received by the chess enthusiasts. Chess is and should be an equal sport.”

The players in action

Tata Steel Chess India draws the best Indian players - Humpy Koneru, Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Vantika Agrawal, Savitha Shri and Bhakti Kulkarni. And invites the world’s best to compete against India’s best. The women’s tournament was no different, featuring  Nana Dzagnidze (Georgia), Anna Ushenina (Ukraine), Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine), Mariya Muzychuk (Ukrain) and Oliwia Kiolbasa (Poland).

The winners - R Vaishali (third from left), who won the Blitz Women, and Anna Ushenina (right), who won the Rapid Women — each took home $41,500, just like their male counterparts, bringing the first edition of the Women’s Tournament of Tata Steel Chess India to an iconic finish.  

- Monali Sarkar. Photographs courtesy Tata Steel