Himanshi Rathi: First Indian woman to win medal in chess in Asian Para Games
Despite completely losing her vision in class 12, Himanshi did not give up hope. A brilliant student, she was a gold medallist in BA and MA, and aspires to join the civil service
Aruna Raghuram
When you completely lose your vision in class 12, the future seems bleak. But not for 25-year-old Himanshi Bhaveshbhai Rathi. Not only does Himanshi have top-notch achievements in chess to her credit, she obtained gold medals in college. The gritty youngster is a civil service aspirant.
In 2023, competing in the B1 category of Standard Chess for the Visually Impaired (VI) at the Asian Para Games at Hangzhou in China, she won a bronze medal for an individual event. She is the first Indian woman to win a medal in chess in the Asian Para Games. She also won a bronze medal in a team championship in rapid chess at the same championship.
Himanshi won the All-Indian Chess Federation for the Blind National Women’s Chess Championship 2022, where the top three players were selected for the Indian team for the Asian Para Games. She was also the National champion in 2019 and 2020. She participated in the Chess Olympiad in France and obtained a rank of 14.
“I have not been playing chess tournaments for the past few months as I am studying for the Gujarat Public Service (GPSC) exams. Also, work takes up a lot of time,” says Himanshi. For her achievement in the Asian Para Games, the Government of Gujarat has given her the post of Taluka Development Officer, Class-2.
Genetic disorder
“I developed Retinitis pigmentosa when I was three years old. It runs in families. My grandmother, aunt and sister also have the condition. We consulted doctors but they said there is no cure,” she says.
Retinitis pigmentosa is a rare, inherited degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment as the back wall of the eye (retina) is damaged.
Symptoms often begin in childhood. They include decreased vision at night or in low light and loss of side vision (tunnel vision). There’s no effective treatment for this condition. Wearing sunglasses may help protect remaining vision.
Himanshi belongs to Palanpur but has been living in Ahmedabad for the past ten years. After studying in a regular school named Vidya Mandir in Palanpur till class 4 she joined a school for the blind – Andhya Kanya Prakash in Memnagar, Ahmedabad. Her family shifted to Ahmedabad.
“I did not know how to handle loss of vision. I did not know Braille. The blind school helped me in mobility issues. I lost my vision completely in class 12,” relates Himanshi.
Despite this huge challenge, Himanshi studied English literature from Gujarat University, bagging gold medals in both BA and MA.
Himanshi’s father, Bhavesh Rathi, is a businessman, and her mother Dipali Rathi, is a homemaker. She has received tremendous support from her parents. Her mother accompanies her on all chess tournaments. Her sister Urvi is a gymnast with visual impairment. When she completely lost her vision, Urvi started pursuing swimming.
Himanshi’s interest in chess developed in class 5. “I had to study music in the blind school. As I am not good at music one of my teachers suggested I take up chess as a hobby. I also took up chess to develop concentration. My father taught me the basics of chess, then I had a coach. Initially, I found it very difficult to visualise the chess board,” says Himanshi.
BPA takes over
Himanshi came into contact with Blind People’s Association (BPA) in Ahmedabad. BPA is one of the largest NGOs in the country in the disability sector. Himanshi got encouragement, support and coaching at BPA and flourished as a chess player.
“BPA handles the coaching very well. It supports the players from beginning to end. Paritosh Dave Sir from BPA is very interested in chess. He encourages many visually challenged players. There is also an association called Gujarat Chess Association for Visually Challenged (GCAVC). I came to know about the tournaments that were taking place. My first coach was Darshan Pandya, who is also visually impaired. Then I was coached by Hemal Thanki, who is sighted,” says Himanshi.
Paritosh Dave is a mentor for visually challenged chess players and the inclusive chess coordinator at BPA. “This is one game where the sighted and visually impaired play together and very often the latter defeat the former. This gives the visually challenged social acceptance and confidence,” says Dave.
Himanshi practised at BPA for one-and-a-half years before the Asian Para Games. “Before going to China, Himanshi underwent advanced chess coaching from international player and coach, Jalpan Bhatt, held on BPA campus. Even during the tournament, she would call him at odd hours (he was in India) with queries or to seek guidance. He would study the technique and style of opponents and guide her,” adds Dave.
Mixed feelings
As a visually challenged player, Himanshi has to both visualise the entire board and also understand multiple moves. Before a tournament she works on multiple possible scenarios.
Does she get nervous before a tournament? “There is a mixed feeling of excitement and nervousness before a tournament. The last seven to eight moves are critical. To keep my cool during a game, I drink water and eat chocolates. Chocolates give a boost and reduce the stress. I get up from my place and stretch to release stress. I am more of a defensive player, say, 30 percent aggressive. I practise seven hours before a tournament. Otherwise, around three hours daily,” says Himanshi.
Despite a long work day, she is preparing for the GPSC mains. “I also plan to attempt the UPSC exam again. I enjoy reading Gujarati literature and I am also learning French. I am studying law as well. Among my outdoor interests are horse riding and swimming,” says Himanshi.
How she finds time for so much is a mystery!
Immediate future plans related to chess are: “I am looking forward to the 2028 Asian Para Games in Japan,” says the youngster with a sunny smile.
