EP 411- Adult Improver Supraja Vadlamani on How She Went from Chess Noob to Olympiad Participant in Just a Few Years.

The Adult Improver Series returns to spotlight the inspiring story of another amateur chess player. This week’s guest is Supraja Vadlamani. Supraja is an India-born, Uganda-based economist who learned to play chess just a few years ago. Her interest intensified during the pandemic, and through some unusual circumstances, Supraja got the opportunity to play in the Olympiad for Niger. Supraja has made impressive chess progress in just a few years, reaching Chess.com blitz and rapid ratings of 1800 and 1750 respectively. In a short time, Supraja has improved her game immensely and crossed paths with the likes of GM Fabiano Caruana and IM Eric Rosen. She shares her unique chess story and hard-won improvement advice. Timestamps of topics discussed and links of resources referenced can be found below. You can check out a playlist of the Adult Improver interviews here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75Uoqz2BoRt2IiTCeOfuky?si=c57bb7bdfcf24644 If you would like to join or check out the Perpetual Chess Patreon community, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess https://www.chessable.com/world-chess-championship-2024-ding-vs-gukesh/course/281790/ Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.Their new courses include IM Andras Toth’s course about the World Championship is here. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro 0:1:30- Supraja joins the podcast and shares her chess origins. Mentioned: IM Eric Rosen, WGM Tijana Mandura, GM Igor Smirnov, Chessmood.com, The Russo Gambit 13:00- What is Supraja’s approach to speed chess ? 16:00- Life in Uganda 19:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Is chess supported by the government in Niger?” 21:00- How is the chess scene in Uganda? 22:00- Supraja details her fierce chess rivalry with her boyfriend 23:00- Olympiad reflections and sightings Mentioned: GM Fabiano Caruana 30:00- Supraja’s tournament plans 37:00- How much time per week does Supraja study chess? 39:00 Does she follow professional class? 41:00- Supraja’s favorite and least favorite aspects of chess 42:00- Supraja’s favorite openings Mentioned: Maia bots 45:00- Supraja completes her IM Eric Rosen story Mentioned: Cameo.com 49:00- Supraja’s closing chess advice. If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices