Advices new GM-elect Prakash to IMs in an exclusive interview to Saritha Dhanraj
India Bank's biggest chess star and India's sixth GM G.B.Prakash is a delighted person. He is Chennai's third grandmaster. The wait for the 2500 Elo should be a mere technicality for this small-made person who achieved his career big result this year.
Excerpts from the conversation had at Aaron Chess Academy in Chennai
on March 12.
Q. How did you feel becoming a GM?
A. Indeed felt very happy becoming a GM. Any chess player's
ambition will be to complete the GM title and the same with me and
it worked. When I completed my third GM norm I beleived god existed.
Q. Congratulations for becoming the first Telugu speaking Grand
Master. How far is 2500 Elo now?
A. Thanks. I still have 23 points to complete my 2500 Elo. I hopefully
will complete 2500 Elo by the end of this year.
Q. What's so special about Goodricke. You are making all the
norms there?
A. Nothing special about Goodricke but then that is the only tournament
I am able to play. Playing tournaments abroad is quite expensiveand I am
unable to go abroad and play there. So the choice for me playing tournaments
is restricted outside the country. Goodricke conducts tournaments
every year and I'm happy that I am able to participate and
utilise the opportunities as and when they arise.
Q. Is your new computer the reason for these results?
A. I have been using the computer to play chess for quite sometime
but I think using the computer is not the only reason for good results.
Can be one of the reasons.
Q. Which was your best game at Kolkata and why?
A. Well... my best game at Kolkata was against Komarov. I consider
this game as my best game because I completed my third GM norm there.
Q. Did early marriages help your career? What's your advice for
brother Ramesh and other IM's?
A. Laughs. Early marriages did help my career because when you
are married you have a good company and are almost settled. When you are
settled you are not mentally disturbed. My advice to my brother Ramesh
and other IM's is also the same: get married and continue your career you
will definitely do well. No two ways about it.
Q. Does Indian Bank support you? Does fear
of closure due to losses worry you?
A. Yes. Indian Bank supports me in every possible way. Initially
fear of closure due to losses worried me but now they are giving it only
a second thought. I dont think they will close.
Q. What is your next ambition now?
A. To complete 2500 Elo by 2001 and to reach the super category
( 2600 Elo ). Only these for now.
Q. Do you agree to the complaint that there are more children
events and less of open events in the country?
A. Yes.. but then there is no hard and fast rule that there should
only be more children events and less of open events. Less or more of something
is immaterial and doesn't matter at all. If there is something which will
help the players benefit like for example if children play in open event's
exposure to tough opponents will be there which will help them to think,
play and improve. And playing with tough or stronger opponents helps. So
more open events will be useful.
Q. How many hours of chess you practice?
A. I play chess five hours a day.
Q. Is Karpov is still your favourite player? What is your opinion
on Anand and Kramnik?
A. Karpov and Anand are my favourite players. Anyday. My
opinion on the two new world champion's Anand and Kramnik is that
they are both talented and gifted players that the chess
world has ever seen over the years. Kramnik is a strong player. He
believed he could beat Kasparov and has proved it.
Q. Rank your most memorable events and say why you like them?
A. Both Pentamedia 2000 and Goodricke2001 were my most memorable
events. Because in these two events I was able to make GM norms that
is why I consider these as my most memorable events.
Q. Will you put your kids in chess? Is there good money in chess
for you?
A. Frankly speaking I would like to consult an astrologer as far
as my children's career are concerned. I haven't thought of putting them
in chess as yet. May be I will.
Q. How was it in Dhaka last month? Did you like Bangladesh. Did
you get any offers to play league games there?
A. Dhaka was okay. I did not perform well there. I played very
badly. I did get offers to play league games there infact people met me
but nothing was decided. If I'm satisfied with the monetary terms I dont
mind playing league games there.