<When I saw the players list before the tournament I just took this event as an opportunity to increase my rating. I didn’t think about winning the title, because I didn’t want to put pressure on myself. As my coach GM R. B. Ramesh usually says: <‘Don’t play for result, just play good games.’> I followed this piece of advice and result is there to be seen!>

The 17-year-old started as the 32nd seed, and in the process of winning the gold medal she gained 209 Elo points, and also became a WIM.

<Before this tournament we had a ten-day camp at the Chess Gurukul [the academy of GM R.B. Ramesh] and I think that was the turning point. I came to know the mistakes I was making, and learned many other things. This camp not only helped me to prepare for the event, I am sure it will be useful in the future too.>

After Mahalakshmi won the gold medal Vishy Anand tweeted: <Congrats to Mahalakshmi, U18 champion. I have known her for ten years. Her story is of true dedication. Coming from a very simple family, she constantly works hard at improving her game. She is the poster girl for India's Gen-next of chess champions. This is the big leap for bigger titles. A quiet girl with few words, she let her moves take her to the top. Congrats to R.B. Ramesh for being the pillar.>

Mahalakshmi was extremely happy to read this. <I am very thankful to Anand Sir and Aruna Madam. They helped me to get sponsorships.>

So what’s next on the agenda for Mahalakshmi? <My short term plan is to become a WGM as soon as I can, and the long term one is to achieve the full-fledged GM title.>