5 Medals at Once at POMNAS XIX, ITS Informatics Students Show Their Strength on the Chessboard and in the Campus World

Image: Salwa Nadia Maharani Shows Off the 5 Medals She Won at POMNAS XIX.

Surabaya, ELECTICS ITS – “Every moment that happens now may not happen again in the future, so I try to enjoy every match,” said Salwa Nadia Maharani, an ITS Informatics student. Her outstanding achievements at the 19th National Student Sports Week (POMNAS) which ended on September 27, 2025 at PGRI University Semarang not only made ITS and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Intelligent Informatics (F-ELECTICS) proud, but also proved that academics and sports can go hand in hand.

Salwa’s journey in chess began at the age of five. Initially, her interest arose because her older brother was a chess champion at school. Three months after starting training, she was invited to participate in the Provincial Championship and immediately won third place in the Junpi-G category at the age of six. Since then, Salwa has been regularly coached by professional trainers and consistently won the Provincial Championship. At the age of 12, she represented the Surabaya team in the Provincial Sports Week (PORPROV) and won a gold medal in her first appearance. This success continued until the age of 16 when she joined the East Java PON team.

Preparing for POMNAS XIX requires a well-thought-out strategy, both technically and mentally. During training, Salwa focuses on mapping out specific opponents to maximize her limited time due to her busy college schedule. “I usually finish all my college assignments before competing so that I don’t have any academic burdens left,” she explained. Mentally, prayer and family support are her main foundations, while maintaining her health, focus, and stable mood keep her at her best during competitions.

Image: Salwa about to start her competition at PGRI University Semarang.

“In one day, I compete from morning until 7 p.m., then do my assignments at night. The college schedule doesn’t wait for me to finish competing,” she said in response to the biggest challenge of her busy college schedule. However, her well-thought-out strategy and high spirits keep her performing brilliantly. At POMNAS XIX, Salwa Nadia Maharani led her team to win a series of impressive medals, including gold in the women’s standard chess team category, silver in the women’s rapid chess team category, bronze in the women’s blitz chess team category, silver in the mixed rapid chess team category, and bronze in the mixed blitz chess team category. This success underscores that she is not only outstanding individually but also capable of elevating the team’s performance at the national level.

The key to Salwa’s success in balancing her studies and chess training is consistency. During busy weeks of practical work, she only had time to play puzzles or do short exercises on online chess platforms, but she still maintained her routine.

“Consistency is what matters,” she said.

Salwa’s chess journey has not always been smooth. She admits that she wanted to give up at several points, but her positive mindset allowed her to enjoy every process. The person who inspires her the most is Grand Master Sean Winshand Cuhendi, an accomplished chess athlete who is now also pursuing a career in business.

Image: Salwa posing with the East Java contingent for chess at POMNAS XIX 2025.

For students aiming to excel in sports, particularly chess, Salwa advises seeking a mentor to accelerate skill development and joining a supportive environment. She hopes the chess community at ITS receives more attention so that students with similar interests can grow together. At the national level, Salwa wants chess to be recognized as a sport that fosters intellectual quality in the younger generation.

The next step for Salwa Nadia Maharani is to continue her career in chess while pursuing a degree in computer science. She wants to bridge the two worlds she loves, namely technology and chess. So that her achievements are not just numbers or medals, but also provide inspiration and opportunities for many people. Her perseverance, discipline, and passion make her a role model for students at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (F-ELECTICS) at the Surabaya Institute of Technology (ITS) and for young people passionate about chess.