Hyderabad, Apr 22 (PTI) International Master Vantika Agarwal and four other upcoming chess players were on Tuesday selected for a Rs one crore fellowship grant by 64 Squares -- a joint initiative of multiple organizations -- that aims to promote the stature of women's game in India.

64 Squares is a joint initiative of Hyderabad-based Pravaha Foundation and Chess Startup MGD1.

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The initiative will back five players, including IM Vantika, WFM Shubhi Gupta, WFM Charvi Anilkumar, as well as emerging talents WIM Sarayu Velpula and WIM Sahithi Varshini.

Through the initiative players' training, tournament participation, and exposure expenses will be covered for a year.

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Among the early beneficiaries was Arjuna Awardee Vantika, who was selected for support in 2023 also.

Since then, she has earned the title of International Master and brought home multiple accolades for the country, including team and individual golds at the 2024 Chess Olympiad.

As she now sets her sights on achieving the prestigious Grandmaster title, Vantika has been selected again for support.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)