Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Lokesh Promises Support for Chess Academy in Amaravati
Chess player Koneru Humpy met Education Minister Nara Lokesh to ask for help starting a chess academy in Amaravati.
Lokesh said the state government would support the plan.
He also congratulated Humpy for winning medals at the Chess Olympiad 2026.
Young chess player Challa Niharika met him too.
She recently earned an international chess title and hopes to become a Woman Grandmaster.
Lokesh said the government would support her as well.
In a separate event, Jonnadula Varaprasada Rao and his wife joined the Telugu Desam Party.
Education Minister Nara Lokesh assured Koneru Humpy that the state government would support a chess academy in Amaravati.
Humpy met Lokesh at his Undavalli residence on Friday with her father, Ashok.
Lokesh congratulated Humpy on India's women's team winning bronze at the Chess Olympiad 2026 and her individual Board One bronze.
Challa Niharika, who recently earned the FIDE Woman International Master title, told Lokesh she aims to become a Woman Grandmaster; he promised support.
Separately, YSRC leader Jonnadula Varaprasada Rao and his wife joined the Telugu Desam Party at a programme hosted by Lokesh.
- Who
- Education Minister Nara Lokesh, chess grandmaster Koneru Humpy, and chess player Challa Niharika; separately, Jonnadula Varaprasada Rao and his wife Krishnaveni.
- What
- Lokesh promised government support for a chess academy in Amaravati and for Niharika's chess ambitions. Separately, Varaprasada Rao and Krishnaveni joined the Telugu Desam Party.
- When
- The meetings and party-joining programme took place on Friday; the article does not give a calendar date.
- Where
- At Lokesh's residence in Undavalli, in the Amaravati capital region.
- Why
- Humpy sought government help to establish a chess academy, and Niharika discussed her goal of earning the Woman Grandmaster title.
- Minister
- Nara Lokesh, Education Minister
- Proposed academy
- Chess academy in Amaravati
- Humpy's Olympiad results
- Indian women's team bronze; Humpy individual bronze on Board One
- Niharika's title
- FIDE Woman International Master
- Niharika's next goal
- Woman Grandmaster title
- Party switch
- Jonnadula Varaprasada Rao and Krishnaveni joined the Telugu Desam Party