In a rain‑shrouded afternoon in São Paulo, Shivika Rohilla clinched fifth place at the Brazilian International Open, a finish that catapulted her rating to 1,995 and put her on the brink of a Grandmaster norm.
The triumph was the culmination of a dramatic journey that began when her mother, Nidhi Bhasin Rohilla, left a ₹50 lakh‑per‑year sales role to chase the dream.
With a 2000‑plus rating, Shivika needed high‑level tournaments. After a shaky spell that saw her lose a few games, Nidhi pivoted from corporate to coaching, hiring top trainers and even bringing her daughter to Brazil for the first time.
Since that decision, the family has organized over 40 events each month across eight states, employing 16 paid staff and 100 volunteers, turning their home into a chess incubator.
Shivika’s Brazil finish not only gives her a critical GM norm but also validates the family’s gamble, opening doors to international sponsorships and a new era for women’s chess in North India.
Now, the Rohillas are eyeing the upcoming Asian Chess Championship in Jaipur, where Shivika hopes to push her rating above 2,100.