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The right moves

The recently concluded Mangalore FIDE Rated All India Chess Tournament 2007 saw the participation of a lone grandmaster in the form of Praveen M. Thipsay. JAIDEEP SHENOYfinds he is optimistic about the future of the game in India

PHOTO: MOHAMMED YOUSUF

Check mate Praveen Thipsay: ‘Unlike in Europe, where a large number of people play the game, very few players are involved in chess in India’

In a world of 64-squares, grandmaster Praveen M. Thipsay may perhaps lack the iconic status enjoyed by his peer Vishwanathan Anand. But this soft-spoken 48-year old, who has spent the last 36-years plotting the downfall of his opponents on the chess board, was the cynosure of all eyes at the recently concluded Mangalore FIDE Rated All India Chess Tournament 2007. Thipsay is a senior manager at the Union Bank of India, Mumbai

In a freewheeling chat with MetroPlus, Thipsay spoke on a wide range of issues.On the format, Thipsay noted chess players normally do not play two rounds in a day. “It is gruelling to play one game stretching over four hours. To do that twice a day is taxing. It leaves the players with little time for introspection and preparation.”

On his participation in the event (he was the lone grandmaster at the six-day meet), Thipsay said: “M.S. Gururaj (president of South Kanara District Chess Association) was very keen to ensure the participation of at least one grandmaster in this meet. He followed it up with me. And my employers sanctioned me leave for the purpose.”Appreciating the efforts of the organisers in conducting a national-level event, Thipsay, however, rued the fact that Karnataka has lagged behind in the organisational aspects of the game.

“Karnataka did not have a chess association for past 15 years. It was one of the leading states in producing good chess players in the mid ‘80s. In fact, I earned my first IM norm at an IM meet in Bangalore. My first national too was in Bangalore,” he said.

Taking stock of the competition at the meet, he said most players were quite mature for their age. Referring to world under-10 champion Girish A. Kaushik from Mysore, he said players like him and local lad Viani Antonio D’ Cunha have it in them to make it big in the game. “Some of these youngsters even surprised us veterans with their powerful style of play. They can only get better with age.”

Does success at an early age put added pressure on the prodigies?

It is a question for the parents and the child concerned to deal with, Thipsay said. “More often than not, it is the parents who push their child. While such encouragement can be good, the interest of the child too has to be taken into consideration. Chess consumes a lot of energy, both physical and mental. Parents have to be judicious in their approach.”

His general complaint like most other sportspersons is that cricket gets more prominence compared to other sports. Thipsay pointed out that it is important for sports bodies to work in tandem with the players in the respective game and take it forward. On reasons why the country does not have enough grandmasters in the top-10, Thipsay said unlike in Europe, which has a broad population base playing the game, a very few players are involved in chess in India.

“Despite this, we have players like Sasikiran, who is in the top 20. Besides, Koneru is the most respected woman chess player in the world after Judith Polgar. This speak some volumes about the wealth of talent we have.”

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