Shri Pradeep Panda, a renowned rated chess player from Odisha’s Badajharlo village near Nakhara, recently lost his 8-year-old daughter, Bhagyashree, in a tragic incident. Bhagyashree was a brilliant student at DPS Kalinga School, winning gold medals in the Mathematics Olympiad twice and consistently topping her class. She admired cricket legend Virat Kohli and chess champion Viswanathan Anand.
Despite the immense grief of losing their beloved daughter, Bhagyashree’s family made the noble decision to donate her eyes, giving sight and hope to others.
In her memory, the SR Chess Center is organizing a special FIDE Rating Tournament with a prize pool of Rs. 2 lakhs.