Young Poornima Gupta of Mahagun Morpheus has an inherent skill for playing chess. Mostly self-taught, she learned the intricacies of the game through practice, dedication and sheer determination. While she briefly received coaching for a few months, she eventually returned to independent practice routine. A chess enthusiast, Poornima began her chess adventure in Class 4th when father, Surender Gupta, introduced her to the basics of chess. Inspired by her grandfather and other family members who shared a passion for chess, Poornima decided to give it a try.
“At first, Poornima wasn’t particularly keen on chess. However, everything changed when she started participating in Inter School tournaments. The thrill of competition and the opportunity to test her skills against others ignited a newfound interest in chess,” mother, Manju Gupta, told us.
Among her numerous achievements, Poornima holds the title of a Gold Medalist in the Delhi State Under-18 Girls and Under-20 Girls Category. Beyond Regional and University Tournaments, her international experience includes participation in the 2021 Fide Cadets and Youth Rapid World Cup, the Commonwealth Chess Championship in 2019, the Western Asia Chess Championship in 2018, and the Asian Schools Chess Championship in 2021. Throughout her academic journey, Poornima has proudly represented her School and University in both Zonal and National Chess Competitions.
Recently, Poornima and her team representing DU achieved remarkable success. They clinched the Gold Medal at the Inter-University North Zone competition. And for the following All India Chess Tournament held in Rajkot from 23–25 January, they secured the Bronze Medal.
Residing in Mahagun Morpheus since 2020, her educational journey took her through Amity Noida from where she completed her schooling. Currently, she is in her 2nd year at SRCC, pursuing B.Com (Honors).
Apart from Chess, Poornima enjoys dancing, listening to old songs, and staying physically active through Yoga and Zumba. Currently, she is diligently preparing for the Chartered Accountancy (CA) exams, with a motive to serve the nation and would continue her participation in the many upcoming Chess Tournaments. We, the family, ensure to chill together and have an enjoyable time so that Poornima unwinds and relaxes for her next move.
(The author is elder sister. Bachelor in Bio Medical Science, she is making career in web designing)
