Panaji, Nov 25 (NationPress) Drawing connections between her badminton expertise in designing a rally and the strategic moves of chess players, Saina Nehwal, a former world number 1 and a prominent figure in Indian badminton, expressed her enthusiasm for exploring chess in the future.

Saina attended the final of the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Goa, where she performed the ceremonial first move in the match between GM Wei Yi and GM Javokhir Sindarov.

The two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist has previously been involved with chess as a co-owner of a team in the Chess Super League in 2021.

“I realize that it requires a great deal of courage and composure, especially in chess, where even in challenging situations, it’s crucial to maintain control and not reveal your emotions,” Saina remarked.

“Chess is one of the most mentally challenging games. You must anticipate your moves well in advance. It’s somewhat similar to badminton, but while we have the rally-to-rally aspect, in chess, you generally need to strategize all your moves more quickly and maintain that focus till the end,” she stated during the final.

The 35-year-old acknowledged her desire to see an Indian player compete during her visit but emphasized that witnessing the top players is an experience worth having.

Regarding her chess association, Saina noted, “I’ve watched some matches from the league, and once you start, it’s hard to stop, even if they extend longer. It’s thrilling to watch; the intensity builds up significantly. I truly enjoyed it, and I’m hopeful that I can become involved in the Chess league or similar events in the future.”

Saina, who also co-owns a team in the Pickleball League, believes that India possesses the potential to be a leading sports nation globally; it simply requires a little encouragement from parents and the system to help talented athletes pursue careers in sports.