Rise of 'Queen': From ages 8 to 18, how an all-girl team is taking free chess to rural India
The evolution of the chess queen finds a parallel in rural India, where the “Checkmate Betul” initiative, launched by US-based Avika Shukla, offers free, structured chess training to girls with no prior access. The programme, run by an all-girl global team, is helping students gain confidence, focus and new skills while overcoming significant logistical hurdles.