[Exclusive] Tania Sachdev on her love for chess, mastering commentary and rising from heartbreaks
The past week has been nothing short of a grand celebration of chess in India. Following the Indian teams' historic triumph at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, the players were showered with rapturous receptions wherever they went. Fans have swarmed them for pictures and autographs. The All India Chess Federation (AICF) also announced sizeable cash prizes. And social media has been flooded with jubilant tributes and celebratory edits as chess enthusiasts revel in India's moment of glory.
Few people could tell you better than IM Tania Sachdev why this accomplishment is special. Sachdev, who first represented India at the Chess Olympiad in 2008, has been through the thick and thin of it all. At the last Olympiad, when India missed out on the gold, she almost decided never to participate in the event again. But as fate would have it, she proudly wears the glittering medal around her neck today.
The newer audience knows Sachdev more as a commentator. Recently, she has been a familiar face on the broadcasts of major chess events. Perhaps, it is the role that Sachdev envisions defining her identity going forward. It is in line with the trend in the chess world these days. Recently, World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura also said that he sees himself as a part-time chess player and a full-time chess streamer.
When asked about it in our exclusive chat, Sachdev was prompted to introduce herself as a commentator.
"Well, I am a commentator." she said, " I think it's a tough decision and tough balance to me. I see myself fighting as a chess player. I always wanted to stay connected to the game, whether its through playing or through broadcast. I feel strongly about both."
The online boom that chess has seen over the last decade has opened up several career options for a chess player. With the growing audience for chess live streams, there is more and more demand for people who can explain the game and provide insights during a live broadcast. Sachdev's chirpy demeanor and flamboyant personality coupled with her experience of playing chess at the highest level makes her a favourite in this regard.
Until last year, Sachdev was even seen regularly posting and livestreaming chess-related content on YouTube. But the win in Budapest has refuelled her passion for competitive chess and for now, she wishes to continue playing.
"I love the game a lot." she asserted, "I don’t know for how long will I play competitively. But after this performance, I feel even more inspired. So let's see"
Recently, Sachdev was also seen working with JioCinema on the broadcast for the Paris Olympics - an experience she says played a part in getting her in the right mental space for the Chess Olympiad.
"I just covered the broadcast for the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, which was such an incredible experience for me because it just left me so inspired and motivated as an athlete." she explains, "Watching our athletes go there and give there heart out.... I think, that also maybe played a role in Budapest because I was just so motivated."
While she would love to cover other sports as a broadcaster in the future, for now, she wants to relish her rekindled love for competitive chess.
"A sports person will love all the sports" she says, before choosing to digress. "I think right now my heart is purely in chess and my dream is that chess is watched by millions on television. And I hope, I can play a role in that."
Didn't feel any joy for the bronze in Chennai: IM Tania Sachdev
The last edition of the Chess Olympiad was held in Chennai in 2022. In the women's competition, India had come very close to winning the gold. Sachdev's team was leading the rankings until the final round. However, a loss to the USA in the last round meant that they slipped to the third rank and had to settle for the bronze.
Though historic as India's first medal ever in the women's category, for Sachdev, the medal was more a scar than a triumph. At the felicitation program organised by AICF on Wednesday in New Delhi, Sachdev revealed the mental anguish she went through.
"At least in my head, I had made peace with Chennai being my last Olympiad. said Sachdev. "Everything that happened there made it impossible to enjoy the bronze medal there; to feel any joy for it. I think I can say it now because we have the gold now. It was a really heart breaking moment for all of us."
But such is the nature of sport. It knocks you down only to teach you how to rise stronger. At Budapest, India became only the second country since the break up of the Soviet Union, to sweep the gold medal across both the Open as well as the Women's category.
"So for me to be a part of this team, to be able to play my role in the matches that I got the opportunity in, it just meant the world. added Sachdev, "And to stand by to watch and hear the national anthem play twice at the closing ceremony is a memory that is going to stay with all of us for a long long time."
The double gold has already marked India as the new hyperpower in the world of chess. Pundits believe it is only the beginning and the future Chess Olympiads would see the nation win many more accolades. However, this would always remain the first.