From parents’ struggles to ‘endless coffees’: How Savitha won India’s only gold medal

In the final installment of TimesofIndia.com’s series looking back at India’s medal-winning campaigns at the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Savitha Shri opens up about her remarkable breakthrough as India’s only individual gold medallist. The 19-year-old recalls arriving as a reserve, playing all 10 rounds and delivering when India needed her most, while discussing her family’s sacrifices, the team’s bronze, Swayams Mishra’s support and her goal of becoming a Grandmaster.