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Puzzling pieces and a patient knight
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K. Ratnakaran's long search for the International Master title has been slippery so far, says STAN RAYAN
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PHOTO: MAHESH HARILAL
HIS GOAL K. Ratnakaran is now aiming for the International Master title
His lazy gait and the slightly heavy figure give the impression that K. Ratnakaran is taking things easy. It has been two years since the Kozhikode chess knight gained his maiden International Master norm and he seems to be no hurry to collect the other two to complete the formalities for the title.
But the fact is, he has been very unlucky.
"Twice, I missed the norm because of technicalities. Last year, I finished seventh at the Commonwealth Championship in Delhi but did not get to play enough title-holders and then later, in Hyderabad, I did not get to play enough foreigners," says the Southern Railway star.
New high
"Actually, it's enough if you perform at the 2451-Elo point level to get your International Master norms. I've performed above this in three tournaments but was not lucky to get quality opponents," said the Kerala No.1 who has a rating of 2411 Elo points in the current FIDE list, his best ever.
Surprisingly, if his rating had been 100 points lesser, he would have a better chance of getting IM norms, says the 22-year-old. "In that case, I wouldn't be meeting strong players in the beginning. But then, my entry fees in tournaments would have been four or five higher than what I pay now. Players above 2400 enjoy special discounts, said the former Asian Junior bronze medallist.
But he frankly admits that he has not been working as hard as he should be. "It's true. I've become a bit lazy after getting a job," Ratnakaran said during the Cusat Open in Kochi.
Hard times
That could be because his early years had been very hard for Ratnakaran after his father died in tragic circumstances. And after landing a job, he must have wanted a much-needed break from the harshness of life. But he has not been sitting idle. "I spend four to five hours on the internet every day, playing three-minute and one-minute games."
However, despite giving him an instant high, these rapid games do not help Ratnakaran's regular games, which last up to four hours. They don't help the fundamentals nor strengthen his lines in the opening, middle and end games.
Kerala currently has two players with International Master norms, Kochi's G. N. Gopal being the other. But the 17-year-old Gopal, who became the youngest-ever State champion a few weeks ago, is now hunting a bigger fish... the Grandmaster title.
India currently has just 14 Grandmasters and Gopal is keen to become the first Kerala player to get into that elite gang. He is now planning out foreign
tournaments to achieve that goal. How tough will it be for Gopal? Is he aiming for the moon?
"It's nice to aim for the rank, not the distinction. Gopal is very hardworking and age is on his side," says Ratnakaran who is now a few rungs above the Kochi youngster in the world chess federation FIDE's India rankings. "And I'm sure once I get my International Master title, I'll be confident for bigger battles.
New hunger
Gopal's goals have now sparked a new hunger in Ratnakaran. He had planned a trip to Europe a few months ago. "But I want people to be there. I don't want to go alone."
Now, he is saving money for a strong Abu Dhabi tournament in August.
"Normally, I spend whatever I earn. But I've saved something for the Abu Dhabi event, which is a quality tournament with many Grandmasters and only players above 2200 are allowed. The trip should cost me around Rs. 35,000. There is no entry fee but you have to pay for the flight fare and stay."
His recent victory in an all-India FIDE-rating tournament in Karnataka helped his cause in a big way. "But if I have Rs. 70,000, my friends tell me I can play three tournaments in Europe. Spain is supposed to be cheap and the best. England is costly while Hungary is very risky." But getting sponsors is the difficult part. "Once you become a Grandmaster, it's easy. But before that, life is very, very difficult."
Ratnakaran needs help. And now.
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