The Hindu : Encounter of a different kind

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 18, 2003

Sport

Sport - Chess

Encounter of a different kind

By Our Sports Reporter

Grandmasters K. Sasikiran (left) and Koneru Humpy having a chat at a press meet in Mumbai on Thursday.

MUMBAI APRIL 17. For one it was a brand new experience. For the other, it wasn't.

Krishnan Sasikiran and Koneru Humpy, two of India's brightest stars on the 64 squares, are more used to meeting players across the chess board but both of them seemed to enjoy meeting reporters here on Thursday. They are in the city to spearhead India's challenge in the Commonwealth chess championship to be inaugurated at Hotel Tulip Star on April 19.

"I was addressing a press conference for the first time,'' Sasikiran, easily the best player India has seen after former World champion Viswanathan Anand, told The Hindu later. "Though I have given many interviews in the past, speaking to the press like this was something entirely new to me. And I liked it.''

The 22-year-old super Grandmaster (GM) from Chennai said it was actually a good thing that chess players were getting to speak at press conferences. "I think it's a sign that the game is getting more popular,'' he said.

Sasikiran was the captain of the Indian team that won the silver at the Asian team championship, which concluded at Jodhpur on Wednesday. "We should have won the gold,'' rued the skipper.

The Indian chess players had an opportunity to do the unthinkable: finishing ahead of China in an Asian championship. "Things were going fine till we messed things up against Kazakhstan in the penultimate round,'' he said. "It was very disappointing.''

About the Commonwealth championship, Sasikiran said the unknown entities from India could pose a few problems to overseas players. "We have many fine young players and the foreigners won't have many ideas about the way they play,'' he said.

However, there's one player the rivals would be prepared for: Humpy, the world's youngest female to secure the men's GM title. Like Sasikiran, she also captained an Indian side at Jodhpur, the Indian men's `B' team in fact. Her side finished sixth.

"We could have done a lot better but for our failure to get the maximum out of Sri Lanka in the penultimate round.'' she said. "It was really frustrating because it was after we had beaten China.''

The 16-year-old said it was a pleasant experience leading the team. And this was the first time she was taking part in a team event.

"I really enjoyed it. Every day we used to have a team meeting and we would discuss various aspects of the game. It was very useful,'' Humpy said.

Her immediate ambition is to improve her Elo rating. "My ultimate aim is to win the open World championship,'' she said.

Humpy, who held Sasikiran to a creditable draw at the Asian championship, said she liked press conferences. "I have attended press meets before on various occasions, some of which were arranged by my sponsor Bank of Baroda.''

Mr. Ravindra Dogre, chairman, Maharashtra Chess Association, who also attended the press conference said about 125 players would take part in the Commonwealth championship, which has a prize fund of Rs. five lakhs. "It would be the largest championship in the tournament's history,'' he said.

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