Daughter of Kol couple to represent US in under-12 Chess World Cup
Times of India | 4 March 2025
123 Kolkata: The 10-year-old daughter of parents from Kolkata, who now reside in Tampa, Florida, will represent the US in the under-12 years Chess World Cup in Butami, Georgia, this June-July. Kolkata-based grand master Diptayan Ghosh is coaching her online for the tournament.
Fourth-grade student Tanisha Saha, daughter of Tuhin Saha, an executive in a healthcare company, and Suparna Saha Roy, teacher at a public school, made the cut after performing creditably in recent tournaments. She was unbeaten in the National Scholastic tournament, where 2,700 children participated, and tied for third place by winning four games and drawing three. Tanisha earlier secured ninth place in the under-10 years category at the North American Youth Chess Championship.
Her parents, who migrated to the US in 2012, were surprised when she made the shortlist. "I was driving to take her to the fitness club and the email popped up. I read and re-read the mail. This was so unexpected. I knew she was doing good, but I never expected her to be selected for the U12 category," said Tuhin.
Tanisha started playing chess when she was four-and-a-half years old at a Montessori academy. One day, she came from the school and said: "Daddy, can I play with the white and black pieces in school?" Since neither Tuhin nor Suparna played chess, they did not know what to say. Then, a few days later, when the family was visiting a friend's house, Tanisha got talking about chess and answered all the questions about various chess moves that Tuhin's friend posed to her.
"Suparna and I were shocked. We had not enrolled her in any class. So how did she learn all of these? Tanisha then told us she learned by watching others play the game. It was only then that we enrolled her in a chess programme," Tuhin recounted.
On her preparations for the tournament, Tanisha spends 4-5 hours practising chess after school hours on weekdays. During the weekend, she goes to chess tournaments across the state.
GM Ghosh is her current coach, and he is giving lessons online two to three times a week. "Despite being busy with his tournaments, he still finds time to give her lessons. She also goes to the local St Petersburg Chess Club, where she plays chess with many players. Coach Larry and Coach Corey, who play with her, help analyse the games to show her the errors," Tuhin said.
The couple's extended family, who live in near Lake Town as well as Salt Lake and Birati, are delighted that Tanisha will represent America.