"I Am Not Giving Importance To The Grade'

Relieved at finally attaining the prestigious Grandmaster title after missing the coveted grade by a whisker on several occasions, Sandipan Chanda is now aiming at improving his opening and achieving an ELO rating of 2500.

The 20-year-old Chanda, who returned to a warm welcome in Kolkata after obtaining the elusive third GM norm at the Benasque Open Chess tournament in Spain earlier this month, said he would participate in selective tournaments.

"I will turn out in only those tournaments which have a high competition level. My immediate target is to reach the 2500 (ELO) mark," Chanda, the country's ninth and latest GM, said.

Chanda, a product of the Goodricke National Chess Academy, currently has an ELO rating of 2469.

Flanked by family members, friends and members of the local chess fraternity, Chanda said he felt relieved at having made it to the GM club at last.

"I had come pretty close on several occasions in the near past. At the Aeroflot Tournament in Moscow in February I only needed a draw in the last round, but lost to my opponent," he said.

Chanda acknowledged that he needed to improve his game further, particularly the opening, to continue his onward march in the international circuit.

"I am taking the help of Surya (GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly), who has a very strong opening," he said.

Chanda said he was maturing as a player and only took calculated risks now.

"Now my approach is pragmatic, in contrast to the risky game I played earlier," the local boy said.

Asked if he was guarding against complacency, an amused Chanda said "In fact, I have decided not to pay much importance to attaining the grade. I have higher ambitions, which I want to fulfil".

On whether he was thinking of going in for a second to further hone his skills, Chanda said he had practised with Ganguly before leaving for Spain.

"I also had a four-day stint with GM K. Sasikiran, whom I rate as the strongest Indian GM after Viswanathan Anand," he said while disclosing that he was holding discussions with several foreign GMs for roping in a consultant.

 He, however,  refused to disclose their names saying nothing had materialised so far.

Chanda, who played with Anand once in May last year, said he kept in touch with the former world champion as also other GMs like Abhijit Kunte through e-mail.

On his campaign at Benasque, the young chess player said that he got a good start following which things fell in place.

Chanda obtained his final GM norm by culling nine points in the 10-round tournament, and tied for the first spot with seven others, but was adjudged third on the tie-break.

PTI