Leading chess player Nisha Mohota has become India's fourth Woman Grandmaster, FIDE vice-president P T Ummer Koya announced in Kozikhode on Wednesday.

The FIDE Presidential Board which met in Abuja, Nigeria, on August 17, also awarded the International Woman Master title to twelve-year-old Dronavalli Harika. The Andhra Pradesh girl in now India's youngest IWM, Koya, also the secretary of All India Chess Federation told reporters.

The three other Indians to bag prestigious award are S Vijayalakshmi, Koneru Humpy and Aarthie Ramaswamy (Chennai).

Nisha, 22, had been conferred the WGM title following her outstanding performance over the last few years. She won the first norm in the Asian Women chess championship, in Chennai in 2001 and the second in the United Insurance IM chess tournament, in Dhaka in April 2002.

The third and final norm came her way after her superb performance in the National women's 'A' championship, in Mumbai in January this year.

"I'm delighted and overwhelmed by the announcement," Nisha, currently employed with LIC, said.

"I received so much support from the AICF that enabled me to participate in various tournaments within and abroad," said Nisha, who began playing chess at the age of seven.

Harika had been selected for her performances in the Asian Open tournament, in Bikaner (Feb 2002), National Women's "A" championship, in Lucknow (May 2002) and World girls' chess championship, in Goa (December 2002).