Tania Sachdev (Chess)

Tania Sachdev is an Indian chess player and was born on August 20, 1986. She was introduced to the game by her father. Her parents provided her with professional training. She holds the tittles of International Master and Woman Grandmaster. She married Delhi-based architect Viraj Kataria in November 2014. As a child, Tania Sachdev won multiple events. Her career successes are U12 Indian champion, Asian U14 Junior and Senior Champion, and bronze medal winner at the World U12 Championship. She achieved her first international title when she was just eight.

In 2005, she became the eighth Indian Woman Grandmaster, won the national Indian Women Championship in 2006 and 2007 and topped the Asian Chess Championship in 2008. She was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2009. She took part in the2010 Chess Olympiad and finished 4th in the Asian Games. Sachdev was second runner-up in 38th National Women's Premier Chess Championship at Chennai. She won Bronze Medal on Board 3 with a score of 9/11 in the Istanbul Chess Olympiad 2012, Turkey.

Tania is ranked in the top 50 women's chess players as per the FIDE world chess Rankings 2014. A Viswanathan Anand fan, she became the eighth Indian Woman Grandmaster. She topped the Asian Chess Championship in 2008 with 6½ points out of nine rounds.

Tania recently told the mid-day in an exclusive interview, “I think the perception of chess not being a glamorous sport is only in India. Players in Europe come professionally dressed. Being in proper attire is a crucial part, as you feel confident. Though I would like to be known for my achievements in the sport, I don't mind if somebody calls me a hot chess player” Apart from chess Tania is also interested in discovering new tourist spots and her faviorite city on the planet is New York. According to her she would have an travel writer if she hadn’t been introduced to the world of chess. Tania also did commentary for the World Championship match between Vishwananth Anand and Magnus Caarlseb last year in Chennai.

Career Highlights:

2008
- Topped the Asian Championship with 6½ points out of nine rounds. This was the moment when she decided to take up chess professionally.2009

- Awarded the Arjuna Award for Sports.

2011
- 2nd Runner-Up in the 38th National Women’s Premiere Chess Championship.

2012
- Bronze Medal in the Istanbul Chess Olympiad 2012, with a score of 9.0/11.

2013
- Won Salento Open (Women’s Section).
- Won Forni Open, Italy (Women’s Section).
- Won Barbara Open (Women’s Section).
- Won Andorra Open, Spain (Women’s Section).
- Runner-Up at Indian National Chess Tournament, Kolkata.

2014
- Won a Gold & 2 Silver Medals at the Asian Tea, Championship in Tehran.
- Bronze Medal at the Commonwealth Chess Championship, Glasow.