Nisha Mohota

Nisha started playing chess as the age of seven. She became India’s youngest WIM in 1995 and India’s fourth WGM in 2003. Since February 2011 she is a full IM – her highest ever Elo rating was 2416. 

Nisha has represented India in 25 countries. Her accomplishments include qualifying for the 2001 and 2008 Women World Chess Championships as well as playing for India in 2004, 2008 and 2010 (Women) Olympiads. She won the Indian National Women Premier title in 2005. 

Nisha's first love, chess, helps her continue her other passion: writing, photography and travelling. She also loves to learn foreign languages and has a diploma in Spanish, which she wants to master in future! She is employed with Oil India Limited (OIL), a petroleum company, as a sportsperson.

Recent news

You cannot just play chess in Cannes!

4/16/2016 – At the end of February IM Nisha Mohota played in the Cannes open tournament in France. With 79 title-holders the event was extremely strong and perfect to fight for norms and rating points. However, there was one small problem. The former Indian National Champion just couldn't focus on chess! But why? Nisha Mohota's beautiful pictorial report gives an answer.

Zurich best game poll + it was Sepp Blatter

2/17/2016 – The final day of in Zurich saw three games in the regular "new classic" time controls , and once again you can vote for the Game of the Day and win a valuable prize: a ChessBase DVD signed by Anand, Kramnik or Shirov immediately after the end of each round. Our add-on quiz question came in the form of a picture which showed the former Football Association President Sepp Blatter, who paid the event a surprise visit.

Which was the best game of day two?

2/15/2016 – Six exciting games on the second day of the Zurich Chess Challenge 2016 – as reported in full yesterday evening. Today once again you have the chance to win a ChessBase DVD, signed by players immediately after the end of the round, by voting for the game you liked most. But you mustn't be influenced by super-cute little girls rooting for their papa. The polls will be available for the rest of the week.

Which was the best game of day one?

2/14/2016 – There were six games in the new classical two-hour format, and a two-game exhibition match on the side. Following our full report from day one of the Zurich Chess Challenge 2016 we ask you to tell us which of the eight games you considered the best. Here's your chance to win a ChessBase DVD signed by the author himself, immediately after the end of the round. Go for it!

Master Class by Vishy Anand: amazing analysis

1/31/2016 – On January 29, Vishy Anand gave a Master Class which lasted one hour 25 minutes. This was filled with high quality analysis and some brilliant ideas shared by the five-time World Champion, and this video is now available to you. IM Nisha Mohota, who attended this Master Class, gives us first hand experience of what it felt like learning from the Indian legend.

Qatar 2015 R05: Carlsen leads, eight follow

12/24/2015 – It was one of the most entertaining days at the Qatar open with some great masterpieces of contrasting nature for the fans. While Magnus Carlsen won a brilliant attacking game against the Chinese GM Li Chao to emerge as the sole leader with 4.5/5 points, Vladimir Kramnik displayed his usual endgame expertise to squeeze out a win from what looked like a completely drawn position. Express report.

Sagar Shah: Learn from the Classics (2)

1/4/2016 – This is clearly sound advice – play through the games of Alekhine, Botvinnik and Capablanca to improve your understanding of chess. But just sitting back and enjoying them does not do much for your own playing strength. Sagar Shah tells us how to actually absorb the classics, as he did, and use the ideas in one's own games. His DVD contains a wealth of historical and training material.

Sagar Shah: Learn from the Classics (1)

12/23/2015 – How often have you heard the above advice – coaches exhorting you to study the ABC of chess: games of Alekhine, Botvinnik and Capablanca. But just sitting back and enjoying them does not do much for your own playing strength. In this DVD Sagar Shah tells us how to go about absorbing the classics, as he did, and using the ideas in your own games.Review by IM Nisha Mohota.

Victor Bologan: The Berlin Wall explained

11/18/2015 – As you can see in yesterday's European Team Championship report, it was raining Berlins in Reykjavik. For IM Nisha Mohota that used to be a problem: "I never understood what went on in these ‘boring’ positions." That all changed when she got hold of a Fritztrainer by GM Victor Bologan. Now she understands the ideas and plans – and has also generally become a better player!

Robert Ris: Attacking the Semi-Slav with g3

11/6/2015 – Ever been to a tournament all by yourself? Players often feel handicapped when there is no coach to guide them at times of crisis. However, help is at hand! IM Nisha Mohota explains how Robert Ris's 60 Minutes lesson, Attacking the Semi-Slav with g3, bailed her out in a difficult situation. Casually watching it before an important game left ideas in her mind and helped her find killer moves.

Robert Ris: Fighting the Ruy Lopez Exchange

10/26/2015 – The Exchange Variation can be very boring – queens come off the board quickly and you find yourself defending a long endgame practically straight out of the opening. What to do, especially if you need to win your next game with the black pieces? IM Nisha Mohota has her own personal solution in this kind of an emergency: Listen to a 60-minutes course by IM Robert Ris.

Women's chess in India – myths and facts

5/2/2015 – A week ago Nigel Short unleashed a storm in the international press with his article on the gender difference in chess. Now one of India's top female players, IM Nisha Mohota, has thankfully taken it upon herself to describe the situation in her country – where chess is not very attractive for women players. Nisha tells us what can and must be done to alleviate an unfortunate situation.
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