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Mind matters

An interactive session finds Koneru Humpy and Krishnan Sasikiran exchanging notes

PHOTO: SATISH.H

GENIUSES 2! Koneru Humpy and Krishnan Sasikiran bond over chess

Chess is a mind-game. And, when two of India's best known faces in the world of chess namely GM Krishnan Sasikiran and World No.2 Koneru Humpy share their knowledge - thanks to the interactive sessions for ONGC players in Hyderabad, the opponents better watch out.

For Humpy, it was a first-time experience to share her thoughts on the sport with a player of Sasikiran's calibre. For someone who still believes that her father-cum-coach Koneru Ashok is good enough to be her full-time trainer, she is aware of the significance of this ONGC camp. It may be recalled that Humpy joined the organisation thanks to the initiative of IM Lanka Ravi, who looks after chess in ONGC.

"His vast opening repertoires and tactical depth should be of great help to me," says a modest Humpy on the prospect of training together with Sasikiran (ELO 2670) during the week-long camp. "His exposure in many foreign tournaments should help me a lot," she adds . With the latest GM Neelotpal Das and Sandipan Chanda set to join the duo under the supervision of V. Koshy and Lanka Ravi, Humpy is very optimistic.

"I must confess that I didn't have a great year due to lack of sponsorship. Hopefully now, things should look up," says Humpy .

Besides taking part in the Swiss International Grandmasters tournament next month, Humpy (ELO 2545) is aiming to become pick up a gold in the Doha Asian Games later this year where chess is being introduced for the first time.

For his part, Sasikiran feels that Humpy's greatest asset is her ability to maintain the position right through and keep playing for a win.

"These interactions should be helpful both ways. For me it's a good experience," he says with a big smile. And likewise the beaming face of Humpy says that she too is all excited at the prospect of training with a potential world champion like Sasikiran.

V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM

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