Latest news with #SLNarayanan
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Exclusive: Why is chess so cruel? Ask Grandmaster SL Narayanan
SL Narayanan at Delhi International Open GM Chess Tournament (Photo: special arrangements) NEW DELHI: The 21st edition of Delhi International Open GM Chess Tournament ended with a somewhat familiar sight under the lavish roof of Chhatarpur's Tivoli Garden Resort on Saturday evening. Abhijeet Gupta, now a serial winner at this event, lifted the trophy for a record fourth time and smiled for the cameras -- a Rs 7 lakh winner's cheque in hand. Seated at one side of the playing hall quietly, lost in thought, was Grandmaster SL Narayanan. 27-year-old Narayanan came to Delhi as the man to beat. The only 2600-rated player in the fray, he stormed through the first five rounds with five wins. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! But chess, as he knows too well, can be merciless. "I clearly wanted to win the event," Narayanan told after the final round. "After five wins in five rounds, I relaxed a bit, thinking a couple of draws wouldn't hurt" Delhi International GM Open final standings ( special arrangements) Indeed, five draws in the last five rounds, all against lower-rated players, meant Narayanan not only missed out on the title but also finished outside the top five, settling for a modest seventh place and Rs 1 lakh in prize money. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Our one of a kind Patented Cold Water Extraction Process Superior Ginseng Undo "Yesterday's game was particularly painful," the Keralite added. "I was completely winning. I had 10-12 minutes on the clock; on any other day, I would have converted that easily. But nerves got the better of me." Chess is as much a mental battle as it is about moves on a board, and Narayanan knows better than most how cruel it can be. "I've been close to 2700 once. Now, I'm around 2600, a big drop. But I don't think my chess strength has fallen. Mentally, though, I was trying too hard to win every game, and it backfired," he admitted. A journey that began at nine Narayanan's love affair with chess began thanks to his mother, Lyna. "She used to play at her office. One day, because I was so naughty at home, she took me along," he laughed. Fascinated by the moving pieces, the young Narayanan wanted to play. "I asked if I could play too. She said, 'First, learn the moves.' That became my goal: to play the next year," recalled the Grandmaster, who was nine back then. Poll What aspect of chess do you think is most challenging for players? Mental pressure Technical skills Financial support Training resources "At that tournament hall, a rated player noticed my interest and suggested to my mother that I should get proper training." That's how a chance encounter at that office tournament led him to P Sreekumar, a former state champion who became his first coach. Unlike some contemporaries who relied on parents for preparation, Narayanan found his own path. "I learned through books, a bit like Gukesh, but not as extreme. Until I became a GM, I stayed away from chess engines. I believed you needed to think independently. But later I realised, as a professional, engine work is a must." The financial tightrope Chess in India has seen greater sponsorship in recent years, but Narayanan's journey hasn't been easy on that front. "For a long time, I didn't have a steady sponsor. Once, Kris Gopalakrishnan of Infosys funded my trip to Turkey. When I made the Olympiad team, AICF gave me Rs 12 lakh, which I used fully for training. And now, a private individual is supporting my training this year," he shared. 'Cricketers Aren't Cattle... ': Harish Thawani on the IPL and Business of Indian Cricket It's a reminder that while the sport has grown, the players' backing varies wildly. "In Tamil Nadu, the government supports players brilliantly. Grandmasters are recognised, achievers are rewarded. It motivates players. But in other states, not only mine, that support is missing. I hope that changes. Young players need encouragement." A battle off the board The last two years have tested Narayanan like no opponent ever has. "It's hard to pinpoint, but my performance really dropped over the last two years. It's not that my chess strength declined. Other players were improving rapidly, and keeping up meant working extremely hard, which I was doing. I just couldn't understand what was going wrong, and that was frustrating. "When I was 24 or 25, I was around 2700, which makes it quite frustrating to see how I've dropped over the past three years. But as I said, if there was a clear drop in the quality of my games, I would consider it a serious issue. When I review my games with my coach and others, they can't even figure out exactly what went wrong. It could be that my mentality wasn't ideal. I do wish I could take that time back. I'm sure I'd be much higher-rated now. But that's how it is, sometimes things go your way, sometimes they don't." ALSO READ: Bangladeshi chess player deported from India; 80-year-old legend Rani Hamid 'disturbed' by events at Delhi airport But the fire still burns. At 27, Narayanan isn't ready to give up. "I still want to play for another two or three years. I believe I can come back, as long as I keep my mental attitude strong and keep looking ahead." And as he walked away from the playing hall, head held high despite the disappointment, you could tell: SL Narayanan is far from done with the game he loves. In chess, as in life, the comeback is always harder, and always sweeter.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Delhi GM chess open 2025: Veteran Abhijeet Gupta claims top spot after defeating Mamikon Gharibyan in round 7
GM Abhijeet Gupta seized the sole lead at the 21st Delhi International Open with a Round 7 victory, shaking up the leaderboard. His win places him ahead of a tightly packed group, including GM S L Narayanan and GM Boris Savchenko, who drew their top-board clash. Several other GMs secured crucial wins, intensifying the competition for the ₹1. NEW DELHI: The 21st Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2025 saw significant changes as GM Abhijeet Gupta secured the leading position with 6.5 points after defeating GM Mamikon Gharibyan in Round 7. The Indian GM now stands alone at the top as the tournament enters its final phase. The crucial match between GM S L Narayanan and GM Boris Savchenko concluded in a draw, leaving both players at 6 points. They now form part of a competitive group pursuing the leader, alongside other successful contestants from Wednesday's matches. The seventh round produced several significant outcomes affecting the tournament's upper ranks. GM Mihail Nikitenko reached 6 points after winning against GM Alexei Fedorov, whilst GM Vitaly Sivuk achieved the same score by defeating Alekhya Mukhopadhyay. GM Diptayan Ghosh joined them after besting GM Aleksej Aleksandrov. GM Luka Paichadze and GM Manuel Petrosyan drew their match, each reaching 5.5 points, matching the scores of IM Semetey Tologontegin and GM Aditya S Samant who also drew. IM Neelash Saha maintained his impressive performance by defeating Bivor Adak, whilst IM Aronyak Ghosh secured victory over GM Nguyen Duc Hoa in an intense contest, both reaching 6 points. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ثلاجات غير مباعة متاحة الآن – انقر وشاهد الأسعار! ثلاجات | إعلانات البحث ابحث الآن With three rounds remaining, eight players trail Abhijeet Gupta by half a point, intensifying the competition for the ₹1.21 crore prize fund. Each upcoming match could prove crucial for the final standings. The tournament expanded with Category C's commencement, attracting 1,250 participants and highlighting the event's inclusive nature. This addition strengthens the Delhi GM Open's position in developing chess talent across all levels. This premier Asian chess competition has drawn over 2,500 participants from more than 20 nations, including 24 Grandmasters. Organised under the All India Chess Federation, the tournament offers a ₹1.21 crore prize pool and remains significant in India's chess calendar.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Delhi GM 2025 open chess tournament: Anandbatla Satvik claims category B title; SL Narayanan, Abhijeet Gupta draw in category A round 6
Chess (Photo by) NEW DELHI: The fifth day of the 21st Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2025 produced significant results, featuring the Category B conclusion and an important match between Indian top seeds, GMs S L Narayanan and Abhijeet Gupta, in the primary Grandmasters section at Tivoli Gardens, Chattarpur. Telangana's Anandbatla Satvik secured the Category B championship with an impressive 9/10 score, leading a field of over 800 competitors. His victory earned him Rs 4 lakh, setting a new record for amateur chess prize money in India. Sundram Kumar and Shaikh Sohil secured second and third positions, receiving Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh respectively, highlighting India's strengthening amateur chess scene. In Category A, the crucial match between top-ranked Indian Grandmasters SL Narayanan and Abhijeet Gupta concluded in a draw during Round 6. Both players demonstrated sophisticated strategic play, maintaining their positions in the title race with four rounds remaining. GM Vitaly Sivuk (Sweden) and GM Alexei Fedorov (Belarus) also finished their Round 6 match in a draw, maintaining their undefeated status and joining others with 5 points from 6 rounds. GM Diptayan Ghosh and IM Neelash Saha's drawn match further tightened the competition, with several Grandmasters remaining in contention for the championship. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The New Jeep Grand Cherokee Is Truly Blowing Americans Away (Take A Look) Luxurious SUV | Search ads Learn More Undo The tournament continues to be Asia's leading open chess competition, hosting over 2,500 participants from more than 20 nations, including 24 Grandmasters. Sanctioned by the All India Chess Federation, the event offers a substantial prize fund of Rs 1.21 crore. The Category C competition, featuring over 1,200 players, commences tomorrow, adding to this significant chess event.
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Dopamine high makes chess trend as a 'cool game' in Kerala
Once considered a niche pursuit reserved for geeks, chess has undergone a transformation in Kerala over the past few years. While the game has always had its space in school clubs, library evenings, and local tournaments, something changed abruptly, and perhaps permanently. Since the pandemic, chess has steadily moved from analogue boards and niche circles to digital platforms and wider public interest. And Kerala has not been left behind. In fact, the state boasts the fourth-highest number of registered players in the country, following Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Can this momentum be sustained? 'Internet chess saw a 60 per cent growth during the pandemic. There was a huge spike in casual players across different apps. Chess started being viewed as a productive and positive addiction,' says Vijin Babu, director of Capablanca Chess School, Thiruvananthapuram. 'Lockdown boredom played a part, but online platforms offering round-the-clock games were a big push. Even the Netflix series The Queen's Gambit, released around that time, helped turn a chess prodigy into a pop culture icon.' Vijin notes that the shift to online learning widened their reach. 'Before Covid-19 struck, we only had students from Thiruvananthapuram. Once everything moved online, we started getting students from across Kerala, and also foreign countries. Some of them, without any in-person training, went on to compete at the national level. And the number of teachers and chess schools has only grown.' Visibility factor This growth is accelerating — especially after a historic year for Indian chess. In 2024, India claimed gold in both the men's and women's categories at the Chess Olympiad. Gukesh Dommaraju became the youngest world chess champion, Koneru Humpy won the Women's World Rapid title, and players like R Praggnanandhaa continued to make headlines by defeating the likes of Magnus Carlsen. Social media lit up, and the game suddenly felt new again. The success of Malayali grandmasters Nihal Sarin and S L Narayanan has only added fuel to the fire. Both qualified for the upcoming Chess World Cup after strong performances in the Asian Individual Championship. 'Nihal's journey started around age five, during school vacation,' recalls his father, Dr Sarin Abdulsalam. 'His grandfather taught him the rules, and within days, he was already competing with him. But the path was not easy; managing school, travel, coaching, and finances was tough. At that time, Kerala lacked strong tournaments, so we had to travel a lot. Support from Tata Trusts and Akshayakalpa made a real difference.' Dr Sarin believes Kerala has great talent, but it needs more support. 'We need better infrastructure, regular high-level tournaments, and structured coaching systems. And I think a franchise-based chess league could change the game here,' he says. S L Narayanan's story is similar. A restless child, he found focus in chess and became a grandmaster at 18, even while topping his class despite regular absences for tournaments. 'Kerala's first grandmaster was G N Gopal. Then came Narayanan, and then Nihal. Despite the talent here, progress is slow compared to other states,' says Narayanan's father, Sunil Dutt P. 'The number of tournaments has grown, but quality has not improved much. Also, while other states benefit from solid sponsorships, Kerala still lacks that kind of support.' But that has not deterred more prodigies from taking to the 64-square battlefield. Some days ago, TNIE featured the story of Divi Bijesh, the youngest girl in Kerala to be conferred the Woman Candidate Master title by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). 'I don't really get nervous when I play,' she told this reporter. 'I just enjoy it a lot. I watch lots of chess games online, especially those of Magnus Carlsen. He is my favourite.' Divi's coach Sreejith G S, of Master Chess Academy, says enhanced visibility of the game has made a big difference. 'Parents now believe that any child, regardless of background, can go far in chess. Some enrol children to boost focus and memory. People spot talent early and nurture it,' he notes.
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Delhi GM Open 2025 set to take place from June 7 with prize pool of 1.21 Crores
The Delhi Chess Association on Saturday announced that the 21st edition of the Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament will be played from June 7 to 14 at Tivoli Gardens, Chattarpur in New Delhi, with a cool prize pool of Rs 1.21 crore. At the time of writing, SL Narayanan is the highest-rated player to headline the event. Several experienced Indians like Abhijeet Gupta, Diptayan Ghosh and SP Sethuraman will also feature in the event. Among overseas players, Armenia's Manuel Petrosyan, Karen H. Grigoryan and Georgia's Levan Pantsulaia are some of the top players. A marquee calendar event on the FIDE World Championship Circuit, the tournament has played a pivotal role in shaping the rise of India's chess stars, including past winners Arjun Erigaisi and Aravindh Chithambaram, R. Praggnanandhaa, and World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, who earned his final GM norm here to become a Grandmaster. In 2025, the Delhi GM Open is expected to host over 2,500 players from more than 15 countries, including 20 Grandmasters, competing across three rating-based categories. The prize pool marks a 168 per cent increase from last year's edition. Category A will have a prize pool of Rs 51 lakh and is open to internationally rated players. Categories B and C, for players rated below 1900 and 1700, respectively, will offer Rs 35 lakh each. All matches will follow FIDE rules and the FIDE Swiss System format, with 10 rounds in every section. Category A games will follow a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one, with the top three prizes set at Rs 7,00,000, Rs 6,00,000, and Rs 5,00,000 respectively. The top ten finishers in this category will each receive Rs 1,00,000 or more, while special prizes of Rs 1,00,000 each will be awarded to the Best Female Player and Best Foreign Player. Category B and C games will follow a 60-minute-plus-30-second time limit and 30-minute-plus-30-second formats, respectively. Entry is free for Grandmasters, International Masters, Women Grandmasters, and Women International Masters.
