Current Affairs - Awards and Honours - Discussion

Swara Lakshmi Nair, a 19-year-old chess player from Bengaluru, achieved a historic milestone by becoming the city’s first woman to earn the Woman International Master (WIM) title on May 24, 2026. She secured the title during the Sardinia World Chess Festival Open A after an important eighth-round victory against Switzerland’s Gut Rafael. Her journey toward the title included earning her first WIM norm in May 2025, demonstrating consistent progress at the international level. The WIM title, awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is a lifelong recognition and ranks just below the Woman Grandmaster title. This achievement marks a significant advancement in her chess career and highlights her growing presence in international chess circuits.