Sarayu Velpula, a young chess talent from Warangal, Telangana, has become India’s 26th Woman Grandmaster (WGM) after achieving her final norm at the First League of Central Serbia in 2025.
She began her breakthrough journey at the Pontevedra Masters in 2023 by securing her WIM, WGM, and International Master (IM) norms simultaneously, a rare feat in chess.
She earned her second WGM norm at the Paris IdF Masters in mid-2025 and is now part of India’s national team competing at the FIDE World Women’s Team Championship 2025 in Linares, Spain.
Her journey has been supported by the Pravaha Foundation and guided by her coach IM N Krishna Teja, with her family playing a crucial role in her success.
Rising Star’s Remarkable Achievements
Velpula’s chess journey is marked by milestones that underscore her exceptional talent and dedication. Born on January 1, 2006, Sarayu first rose to prominence by winning the National Under-13 Girls Championship in 2019.
Over the years, she continued to perform consistently, securing runner-up positions in the National Under-17 Girls Championship in 2023 and the 38th National Junior Girls Championship in 2024.
Her career-defining moment came in July 2023, at the Pontevedra Masters in Spain, where she accomplished a historic feat by earning three norms-Woman International Master, Woman Grandmaster, and International Master-in a single tournament, finishing second with a performance rating of 2575.
This was a breakthrough that catapulted her into the international spotlight, raising her FIDE rating above 2386 shortly afterward.
Building on her momentum, Sarayu secured her second WGM norm at the 100th Paris IdF Masters in July 2025, where she fought tough battles against seasoned international players, scoring five points out of nine rounds.
The final push was her performance at the First League of Central Serbia held later in 2025, where she represented the Pirot team “ČAST I SLAVA” and defeated several grandmasters and international masters, clinching her final WGM norm.
Her peak rating has since reached 2443, signalling her readiness for the next steps toward becoming an International Master and beyond.
Support System and Challenges Overcome
Sarayu’s rise is not just about natural ability; it is also testimony to resilience amid challenges. Coming from Warangal, a smaller city in Telangana, she faced financial difficulties that limited her exposure to international chess circuits in the early years.
However, she persisted with the strong support of her family, who encouraged her without pressure, fostering an environment focused on learning and growth.
Her coach, IM N Krishna Teja, praised her patience, hard work, and strategic acumen, highlighting that her consistent progress over the last three years has been remarkable.
In March 2025, Sarayu received vital backing from the Pravaha Foundation’s 64 Squares Fellowship, which enabled her to travel and compete in Europe’s competitive chess tournaments.
This support was instrumental in her gaining the experienced exposure needed to secure norms and improve her skills at the highest level.
Her story is part of a larger narrative showcasing the emergence of Indian women in chess, with notable predecessors like Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and Divya Deshmukh inspiring a new generation.
Ready for the World Stage
With her induction into the Indian national team for the FIDE World Women’s Team Championship 2025 in Linares, Spain, Sarayu embarks on a significant chapter of her career.
The tournament will test her mettle against some of the strongest teams worldwide and serve as a platform for her to gain valuable experience on a global stage.
For Sarayu, competing alongside India’s top women players is both an honour and a responsibility, aligning with her ambitions to climb higher in the ranks and potentially pursue the grandmaster title.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Sarayu Velpula’s inspiring journey from a small city to becoming a Woman Grandmaster epitomises the transformative power of perseverance, structured support, and inclusive opportunity.
Her story encourages not only more investment in grassroots initiatives but also a broader societal commitment to breaking gender and regional barriers in sports.
At The Logical Indian, this success reinforces the belief that promoting kindness, equity, and empowerment is essential to nurturing talent and fostering harmonious development.
As Sarayu continues to shine, it prompts reflection on how communities and institutions can enhance support for young women and create environments where dreams translate into achievements.
