‘Blank mind’ & bold leap: How Harika Dronavalli cracked freestyle chess on debut

In a nation where only four women have ever earned the GM title, 35-year-old Harika remains one of its most enduring pillars. As her compatriots prepare for the traditional grind of World Championship cycles, Harika has qualified for the inaugural FIDE Women’s Freestyle Chess World Championship, which is set to take place next year.