Aryaman SharmaSoftware Engineer (Full Stack), Jim Peplinski Capital · SWE (Full Stack) @ JPC | CFA Level 1 Cleared | Building Drackle | Agentic PLG Conversion Engine for SaaS

Story of THE IMPACT PLAYER of India 19yr old Savitha

25 Sept 2026 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

1:34

The video profiles 19‑year‑old International Master Savita Shree Bhaskar, who arrived at the 2026 Chess Olympiad as India’s reserve player and emerged as a decisive team member. Her chess journey began by watching her older brother Mukesh, and her father Bhaskar quit his electrical technician job in Singapore and even sold family gold jewelry to fund her tournaments. Savita’s early milestones include winning the Indian National Chess Championship at age 11, the World Under‑12 Championship, a bronze medal at the 2022 Women’s World Rapid Championship at 15, and the 2026 Asian Women’s Championship. At the Olympiad she played seven games, winning all seven, with the final round against Kazakhstan being crucial: after a drawn rook endgame she pressed on to win, securing a 2‑2 team draw and rescuing India from defeat. The narrative emphasizes her rapid rise from reserve to impact player and highlights the sacrifices that enabled her success.

Meet 19-year-old International Master Savita Shree Bhaskar, who came to Chess Olympia 2026 as essentially India's reserve player and now has become one of the most important players of Team India. Savita's chess journey actually started by simply watching her elder brother Mukesh play. Her father Bhaskar eventually left his job as electrical technician in Singapore to support her career.
So you left your job in Singapore? Yes. And now what are you doing? I am full-time to Savita. Full-time? Full-time. Okay.
And at one point, the family even had to keep their gold jewelry just to fund a tournament. But that sacrifice started paying off. Savita, just at the age of 11, won the National Chess Championship, and then she won World Under-12 Championship. And at the just age of 15, Savita shocked the chess world by winning the bronze at 2022 Women's World Rapid Championship. And earlier this year, She became the 2026 Asian Women's Champion. But now she might be playing the tournament of her life. 7 games played and 7 victories. And the game number 7th was probably the most important. India was facing Kazakhstan and was heading towards defeat. Hampi and Divya had drawn. Vishali had lost, meaning Shavita has to win on demand. In a rook endgame which looked draw, she kept pushing and won that game. Rescued India with a 2-2 draw. From reserve player to India's impact player, and the Olympiad is not over yet.
Yeah, we will take all the wins, of course.