Tania Sachdev, born 20 August 1986 in Delhi, is an Indian chess player, who holds the titles of International Master and Woman Grandmaster.Tania was introduced to the game by her mother Anju in a bid to channel her restless energy into something constructive. Tania soon developed a liking for the game and, realising she was good, her parents decided to provide her with professional training. A Viswanathan Anand fan, Tania became the eighth Indian Woman Grandmaster. Tania won her first international title when she was just eight. In 2008 she topped the Asian Chess Championship with 6½ points out of nine rounds.She was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2009. Tania was second runner-up in 38th National Women's Premier Chess Championship at Chennai. One of the challenges faced by Tania as she worked towards developing a career in chess was balancing the game with her studies. Playing chess has opened up new avenues of self-development for Tania, as she claims to have become more analytical and competent to handle difficult situations. The game has also offered her opportunities for travel to new places and meet new faces.Breaking into the world top 20 and also competing for the Men's Grandmaster title are two of Tania's aspirations for the future. Advising budding Indian chess players, she says, “Nothing can be achieved without hard work. Talent is not the only factor in success. You must also enjoy what you do; only then can you truly become an achiever.”Full name Tania SachdevCountry IndiaBorn 20 August 1986, Delhi, IndiaTitle International Master (2008), Woman Grandmaster (2005)FIDE rating 2400 (November 2012), (No. 67 ranked woman in the November 2012 FIDE World Rankings)Peak rating 2435 (January 2009)
