P.V. Nandhidhaa aiming for consistency after second national title

It has a been an up-and-down year for P.V.Nandhidhaa. A second straight National title has probably come at the right time for 29-year-old Tamil Nadu player, who is now keen to focus on improving her rating and on being consistent.

“This is a very important (win) for me. Last year, I won the Nationals and then did well in the Qatar Masters. It’s been almost a year since I won a good tournament,”Nandhidhaa told  Sportstar, hoping it would be the beginning of a good run in the future.

Admitting that she was going through a tough phase, the Salem-based player said in events held during the year, she used to begin well before faltering.

“I started well, but I lost in the last three rounds in the Asian championships. It was frustrating. It (this victory) feels like a comeback after a long time. I have confidence that things will go well (from hereon).”

She said the aim would be to be more consistent and improve her rating. “I mess up after I get into good positions… need to improve there. I need to play a lot of training games,” said Nandhidhaa while crediting coach M. Shyam Sundar for the success in the Nationals.

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Not wanting to rest on her laurels after defending the National title successfully, she says she would soon resume training with Shyam Sundar.

“My plan for 2026 is to focus on the rating. The Olympiad will be held next year. I want to improve the rating so that I can get selected in the team. I intend to play more Open tournaments,” said Nandhidhaa, who will participate in the forthcoming World Rapid and Blitz championship in Doha.

Published on Dec 14, 2025