Pint size chess tigress from Mumbai

At 6, Suhaani Lohia from Mumbai is among World’s youngest rated chess players
Monday, 15 February 2016 – 6:47pm IST | Natasha Singh | Edited by: Samiya Latief

At the age of just 6, this Upper KG girl has entered the list of the World’s Youngest rated chess players in the girl’s category.

Meet Suhaani Lohia, a student of Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Bandra and a resident of Malabar Hill, who was placed at the 6th position in the world by the World Chess Federation on February 14.

Suhaani’s mother, Sheetal Lohia, happily talking with Iamin said, “Suhaani absolutely loves the game. She got interested in the game as she has grown up watching her brother, Siddhanth 10, play. Siddhanth too has represented Maharashtra twice and won bronze in nationals. She usually accompanied me for various chess tours of her brother and watched him play.”

Suhaani started her chess coaching at South Mumbai Chess Academy (SMCA) in February 2014, when she was just 4 years old. By June 2014, she was already appearing for nationals.

Balaji Guttula, FIDE master at SMCA and Suhaani’s coach since the start of her training said, “Suhaani is a very calm and quiet child, which has helped her reach this stage. She creates tactics that help her win, engaging in self learning and teaching which means she is not completely dependent on the coach. The win is crucial not only for India but also other girls who we hope would be encouraged by this sport. 80 percent of the players in our academy are boys. Hence, this is a big moment for us.” The coach also added that Suhaani practices around 10 hours a week.

Suhaani has been awarded with the best athlete trophy by her school and she also won silver in the National Schools Chess Championships held in Nagpur last month. Apart from chess, she enjoys tennis, swimming, gymnastics and reading.

“The school is very supportive. Even if there is an exam, they let her take it later if there is some championship going on. The teachers sometimes stay after school to make sure that her studies don’t suffer,” said the proud mother.

Suhaani loves to travel and has already been to Singapore and London for chess tournaments. She has also travelled to Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Goa among other cities for various championships.

The first six rankings for the youngest players given by the World Chess Federation include Maria Budarina (Russia), Kristine Boye Sten (Denmark), Seteyaesh Savari (Iran), Tahoora Azari (Iran), Evelina Zavivaeva (Russia), followed by Suhaani Lohia.

Source: http://www.iamin.in