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Smart moves for success

Photo: S. James

INTUITIVE Chess players J. Deepan Chakravarthy (left) and P. Magesh Chandran. (Location courtesy: Hotel Sangam)

Two different lives and two contrasting lifestyles. But a common passion — chess. And the two together have etched Madurai’s name in the world chess map.

Grandmasters J. Deepan Chakravarthy and P. Magesh Chandran have sailed on the board game of 64 squares with considerable success and even ascended to stardom. As I sat with them for an early morning chat for the weekend, there was no way that the sparkle of winning a Grandmaster title at a fairly young age could be missed. They both have the drive but know how to control their emotions too particularly in a game dubbed as one for “the intellectuals”. This indoor game may not be liked by many but there are parents too who push their kids into the game to hone their analytical skills.

Whatever be it, winning a Grandmaster title is not that easy and the duo is indeed an inspiration for those who understand and play the game.

If money was never a problem for Magesh, whose father M. Panchanathan, the Joint Director of Medical Services, Madurai district, ensured that his son’s interest in chess was never left wanting, life was not at all a bed of roses for Deepan, who literally started from the scratch.

Deepan was introduced to chess by his father Jayakumar and initially played only for fun. But the sudden death of his father propelled him to approach the game with lot more seriousness. For now, he had his father’s dream to fulfil. Left with two younger sisters and mother struggling to make both ends meet, Deepan had to carefully choose a career.

Notwithstanding the financial status, as children, both were perhaps ahead of their age outsmarting their rivals, many of them much senior to them. Both were a cut above the rest and brought laurels in international age-group championships, according to M.Thirunagalingam, the former joint secretary of Tamil Nadu Chess Association.

Having established his name in the country, Magesh flew to United States to pursue engineering in the University of Texas. But that never prevented prevent him from playing chess and he scaled heights.

“Patronage for chess is very poor in the U.S. There people love to play and watch only contact sport like soccer and basketball. Though chess is relegated to weekends, it commands respect. Our university could manage just a few spectators for an inter-continental inter-university showdown between the University of Texas and University of Belgrade through video conferencing facility whereas the auditorium was bursting at its seam at the other end. It was an embarrassment for us. In fact, we had cheerleaders and offered free pizzas to woo spectators for the event. The concept of cheerleaders for chess is not what you hear or see often. But I see a good future in it,” he breaks into laughter.

Magesh still remembers the day when he became the 12th Grandmaster of the country earning his third GM norm when he tied for the first place at a world open chess championship in Philadelphia (US). More than 30 grandmasters took part in the event, which was eventually won by Polish GM Kamil Milton in a blitz play off.

Both Deepan and Magesh, who are in their early 20s, have won Asian Junior Championship titles. “They are very sharp on the table. Even a slimmest chance can cost dearly for the rivals, as they are extremely capable of converting any losing position into a winning one,” says Mr. Thirunagalingam.

Forget chess for a while and ask them about their favourite pass time, and without a blink Deepan shares his love for the abridged cricket format and confesses he did not miss a single Indian Premier League match. Magesh loves tennis, soccer and cricket.

Left on their own, both of them prepare for their games with the help of computers. “Yes. You have more than 30 million different games. We generally use it for opening preparation and analyse how it differs from player to player. Everything depends on how well you are equipped against your opponent and how well you can surprise your rival,” says Deepan, who has signed with Indian Oil Corporation.

Magesh has an independent streak him and does not believe in living under the shades of his father. Having become a professional, he manages his expenses on his own and is now on the look out for a sponsor to keep him afloat. “My income solely depends on the prize money I get participating in the international tournaments. Increasingly I realise the need for a manager who can look after my travel plans and also to find and choose tournaments that I can participate in. The trick also lies in how well connected you are in the circuit,” says Magesh, currently preparing for a tournament in Spain.

Deepan is pursuing M.B.A. in S.R.M. University and now plays for the country in international chess championships and at present is in Philippines competing in a chess tournament.

Given free time, both of them would like to go for movies.

“We don’t mind buying tickets in black because nothing can stop us once we have decided to watch a movie in a cinema hall,” they say and make it clear that not even this interview can. No doubt, as Deepan hurries Magesh to get going to watch their favourite star in action in a latest Tamil flick!

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