Hyderabad's grandmaster Rithvik bags spot in World Cup 2025
Competing as the 33rd seed, Rithvik clinched 6th place in a field of 154 top players representing 33 countries, including China, Japan, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Iran and India. He scored 6.5 points across nine rounds, with five wins, three draws, and a single loss. Six other Indians also qualified for the Chess World Cup 2025 at the UAE event.
Expressing his excitement, Rithvik said: 'The Asian Individual Chess Championship was a true test of skill and resilience, with the best players from across the continent. To finish among the top and qualify for the World Cup is a dream come true.'
A student of Engineering at KL University, Hyderabad, Rithvik has been receiving advanced training at RACE Chess Academy under coach N Rama Raju and is also mentored online by Ukrainian GM Alexander Goloshchapov.
Rithvik's recent achievements include a silver medal at the Laplagne International Chess Championship and National Blitz Championship and bronze at the Cappelle International Chess Championship and National Rapid Championship-2024.
Congratulating him, Telangana State Chess Association Secretary A Jaya Chandra said: 'He has brought laurels to the state and country through his achievements.'
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