And that's how a star is welcomed! WGM Pratyusha Bodda in Tuni

by Sagar Shah - 04/03/2020

Getting your WGM or GM titles is not at all an easy feat. It takes years of hard work, investment, training and single minded dedication to achieve these titles. When the player reaches the milestone, of course, there is huge sense of achievement and relief, but in terms of recognition very little has been forthcoming from the government or the region where they live in. But things are surely changing in this direction. When Pratyusha Bodda returned home from her European tour after becoming a WGM, she was invited to her home-town in Tuni, Andhra Pradesh. What followed next was akin to what Vishy Anand witnessed when he returned after winning the World Championship title. The people were ecstatic that their daughter had become a WGM and they didn't hold back their celebrations!

Pratyusha Bodda became India's most recent WGM when she achieved her final WGM norm at the Gibraltar Masters 2020. For Pratyusha, it was a big pressure off her back as she was trying to get the title since many years. After nearly 15 failed attempts, the 22-year-old from Andhra Pradesh is finally a WGM. After the tournament, Rupali Mullick, who was present in Gibraltar, did an interview with Pratyusha. One of the questions asked was - You failed nearly 15 times to get your WGM norm, did you ever get frustrated or think of leaving chess? To which Pratyusha replied, "I never thought of leaving chess. I don't know why! Perhaps its because I don't know anything else. Chess is the only thing in my life."

The youngster showed her favourite game from the tournament - her win against IM Martin Percivaldi (2403). What is striking about the game is that there are no real errors from White and yet Black manages to win the game with one powerful move after another. This game just shows how strong Pratyusha really is.

Interview with Pratyusha Bodda after she achieved her final WGM norm and became India's latest WGM

A rousing welcome to the champion!

Pratyusha achieved her 1st WGM norm at the Asian Continental 2015 in UAE. This is also where she achieved her first IM norm. The second WGM norm was scored at the national women senior championships 2015 in Kolkata and the final one came at the Gibraltar Masters 2020. She currently lives in Narsipatnam where both her parents are teachers. After she became a WGM, she invited to her home town in Tuni, around 40 kilometres from Narsipatnam. A lot of people play chess in her home-town, but none of them have played tournaments professionally. Pratyusha, who has won several medals for India over the years is a well known sports personality in not just Tuni or Narsipatnam but the entire East Godavari and Visakhapatnam district. She is the only titled chess player from that region. What was heartening to see is the love she received from the people back home.

Receiving her with a bouquet of flowers at the railway station

The entire felicitation ceremony was organized by Sri Prakash educational institution. This was Pratyusha's school until she was in the tenth grade.

An open vehicle was arranged where she went throughout the town greeting a lot of familiar faces!

People were excited that one of their own could make a mark in the world of chess!

Such an inspiration!

It's so heartening to see that chess players receive so much respect and admiration in different parts of the country!

A small glimpse of Pratyusha's WGM title celebrations in Tuni

With a rating of 2328 and already 1 IM norm in her kitty, it might not take too much time for Pratyusha to become a full-fledged IM. Well, we will wait for that achievement. To tell you the truth, we cannot wait to see how the town of Tuni would celebrate Pratyusha's next big achievement!