Aashna Makhija WIM

Aashna Makhija, Woman International Master (WIM)

Meet Aashna Makhija, a chess player who might just make you rethink your strategy — or at least your opening moves. Awarded the prestigious title of Woman International Master by FIDE, Aashna has been weaving her tactical webs on the chessboard for years with a sharp mind and a reliable queen’s gambit.

With a peak bullet rating soaring to an impressive 2444 in early 2021, she’s no stranger to heart-pounding time scrambles and quick tactical duels. Her blitz prowess reached equally electrifying heights, boasting a top rating of 2434 in 2022, while her rapid games saw her climb to a stunning 2469 rating in September 2023 — proving she’s as comfortable in fast-paced battles as in slightly more leisurely contests.

Her playing style? Aashna combines patience and precision with a sprinkle of psychological warfare. She’s known for an 85.34% comeback rate — which means when things look grim, don’t count her out! Early resignation rate is a respectful 0.47%, indicating a fighter’s spirit that refuses to fold under pressure. Long games, complex endgames, and grinding out wins? That’s her playground, with an average of around 75 moves to victory.

On the opening front, Aashna’s secret weapon is... well, still top secret, but a glimpse into her preferred repertoire reveals some unusual gems like the Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation and the Van't Kruijs Opening, where she boasts a perfect win record. She also has a knack for taking opponents off the beaten path with the Queen’s Gambit Declined Marshall Defense and Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack varieties.

Over thousands of games in bullet and blitz formats, she’s racked up more wins than you might expect — but let’s be honest: Aashna’s losses are just part of the journey, contributing to her remarkable resilience and tactical awareness. Her longest winning streak clocks in at a solid 12 games, while her longest losing streak reminds us all that even the greats can have a bad day — or thirty-four.

When does she play best? If you thought late mornings were peak chess hours, think again — Aashna’s best time of day to play is the mysterious early morning hour of 3:00 AM. So if you see her online then, beware: she’s likely plotting her next flawless checkmate while the rest of us are dreaming about just getting out of bed.

Off the board, Aashna is known for her cool-headed approach and fierce competition spirit. Whether winning by a graceful checkmate or on time, or staying calm through unexpected setbacks, her games tell the story of a player who loves the battle as much as the victory.

Recently, in a dazzling game using the Van't Kruijs Opening, Aashna (playing as Black, under the username AriseSoldier) checkmated her opponent in just 35 moves — a testament to her tactical sharpness that could make any grandmaster raise an eyebrow.

Keep an eye on this rising star — Aashna Makhija blends strategic brilliance, relentless resilience, and just the right dash of unpredictability to keep her opponents always guessing. A chessboard warrior who’s as comfortable in bullet blitzkrieg as in marathon rapid battles, her journey is one of inspiration — and occasional brutal checkmates.