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“Work hard, from the heart, and rest assured”: Harikrishna
August 17, 2007 | News
Former World Junior Champion and Grandmaster P Harikrishna rose to fame in chess when he won the World Under –10 chess championship in 1996. In the years that followed Harikrishna won many prestigious tournaments including the Commonwealth championship. In 2001 Harikrishna became the youngest Grandmaster in India and since then the growth of the Hyderabad based has been exemplary. Harikrishna was recently nominated for the Arjuna Award and on Wednesday he finished joint first in the Marx Gyorgy Memorial tournament at Paks in Hungary. Soon after the event Harikrishna spoke about the Arjuna award, Marx Gyorgy memorial, his future plans and Chess in India. Excerpts:
Q: Harikrishna congratulations on the Arjuna Award and the joint first finish in Paks. What was the feeling after the Arjuna was announced?
Harikrishna: Thanks, it was really a moment that I will cherish for my life. I had been expecting the award this time after our team won the Gold medal in last Asian games at Doha and overall too my performance in the past couple of years has been fine. My thanks to the Government and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for finding me worthy of this award and thanks to All India Chess Federation secretary Mr. D V Sundar for recommending my name. And also thanks to my sponsors SUN Group for restoring faith in my abilities. And I would like to dedicate this award to my grandfather Late Shri Ranga Rao who introduced me to the game.
Q: Its has been a lot of hard work?
Harikrishna: Frankly yes but the support has been a very important factor. I have to come to realise things do not happen by chance or by luck in chess. These factors play a near-negligible role. I think hard work and support is a must. Many people have contributed in my career…my parents, other family members, coaches, State and Central Government, Sports Authority of India, media, so many others…If I name them all the Interview will never finish! My hearty thanks to everyone.
Q: You had quite an indifferent start for a defending champion in the Marx Gyorgy memorial and had to bounce back real hard. What went wrong initially?
Harikrishna: Well, just before this tournament I was in another time zone at Montreal where I was playing quite decent chess. Suddenly coming back to Europe from Canada became a problem. I could not recover from my jet lag quickly enough I feel. However, after losing the first round I was vigilant enough to get back in shape.
Q: Yes towards the end of the first half you struck form again
Harikrishna: True, I thought it was now or never if I wanted to have my chances in the tournament. I played a nice game against Hou Yifan of China and then topped it with a couple of victories in the early second half. It was enough only for a joint first though, I regret not beating Yifan a second time in the return game after which I would have won the event solely. I think the Arjuna announcement played a major role in reversal in my form as I won three games in a row after I came to know of it.
Q: You have been busy playing a few tournaments off late and have quite a few lined up in future too. What’s the plan of action.
Harikrishna: In fact I am not playing too much, just enough I guess. I had a bad start to the year at Aeroflot where I was not well and ended up losing more than 20 rating points. That proved disastrous for me and I knew it will be hard work to be back where I was. Somehow, I regained my composure in a few team tournaments after that and now I feel things are finally shaping up quite well. I am playing Mainz after this and then the European Club Cup. After that there is a Blindfold tournament in Bilbao where Topalov, Judit and Carlsen are also playing. Thereafter it will be World Cup in November.
Q: It is said that you are training hard these days. Who is your coach?
Harikrishna: I do not have a permanent coach as yet but time and again I am working with many Indian players and a few prominent trainers of the world. I think training hard is a must if one has to be world class player.
Q: You are currently sponsored by the SUN Group. What kind of support is given to you?
Harikrishna: I had been a bit worried about taking up chess professionally after my last sponsorship contract ended. However, luckily for me, the SUN group stepped in to support me and their support is whole hearted. I am really thankful to them.
Q: You have a direct seat in the next World Cup of chess. What will be your aim and objective for that tournament?
Harikrishna: Yes I found out about it only some days back that I have a direct seat. The World Cup is always a difficult tournament. I made it to the third round last time but to be there till the end is the key in these knock out events. I guess I will have to prepare harder this time.
Q: What are your views on the World Championship format this year and chances of Anand winning the title again?
Harikrishna: The World championship is going to be tough as ever. All these top players are very strong and to pick one winner might be difficult before the event ends. Personally I feel Anand can win it again.
Q: Thanks to the World Wide Web Chess is coming live these days. How do you see the future of the game?
Harikrishna: Its amazing how fast Chess is becoming popular. We can see all the top games live these days. Information is easy, who plays what is known in seconds which makes preparation easier. Simply fantastic and growing. In fact to make information about me easier there is something called www.harikrishnachess.com All the games that I play from now onwards will be available for download from there apart from other information on the events I take part in.
Q: What are your views on Chess growth in India?
Harikrishna: Well, we have been on a growth path for past many years and the trees have already started to bear the fruits. We have the youngest GM in the world in Parimarjan Negi and many other youngsters are working their way to the top in various age group chess championships. However, for the consistency we will need support through more sponsorship. I am really surprised that even though we have had Anand at the top for so long, there has not been even one super category tournament in India. These kind of events create a lot of awareness amongst the masses and surely from awareness a kind of chess-cult can be build. In short, I can say for now that we are on the right path but of course we need to continue for some more time to be amongst the best chess nations.
Q: What’s your message for the budding youngsters of the country?
Harikrishna: Dedication and hard work is the key to success in all spheres of life. Chess is no different; anyone working hard with absolute commitment is sure to succeed. Work hard, from the heart, and rest assured!