Grand Mastery Still Some Way Away!
Sportstar|February 23, 2019

Overall, the path to becoming a chess power looks bright. But India, though on course, has a long, long distance to go.

Rakesh Rao
Grand Mastery Still Some Way Away!

Quietly and steadily, Indian chess has been making waves at almost every level. There has been a rise in the number of grandmasters, addition to the world and continental titles at the age­group level and the number of norm­holders is increasing.

Overall, the growth graph shows an upward mobility like never before.

However, like many marginalised disciplines in the country, this cerebral sport also suffers from a lack of attention from most quarters.

More often than not, the performers don’t get the accolades they deserve, the importance gets buried in the background and the media, both print and electronic, falls short of projecting the achievements of the individuals in a befitting manner.

In spite of all the challenges, some inherent to chess itself, the players have braved it all. Since chess is not a spectator sport— cheers and applause are not allowed during games — the performers expect all the admiration after the last move is made.

In the absence of appreciation, most chess players have reconciled to their fate and continue to work in the background in search of excellence.

Such is the mindset of the chess players driven by passion. Except at the highest level, chess players don’t make much money from winning. For many, coaching becomes an option to supplement their income even when they are actively playing. Several grandmasters and international masters, make more money from part­time coaching than playing full­time as professionals.

Therefore, it is clear that most players who have done well have been driven purely by passion for the game and not for monetary gains. This passionate approach, seen over the past few decades, has helped in producing grandmasters in increasingly good numbers as compared to the past.

Denne historien er fra February 23, 2019-utgaven av Sportstar.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra February 23, 2019-utgaven av Sportstar.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA SPORTSTARSe alt
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Sportstar

Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears

Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.

time-read
1 min  |
March 21, 2020
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
Sportstar

Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT

What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?

time-read
10+ mins  |
February 8, 2020
The making of a batting behemoth
Sportstar

The making of a batting behemoth

If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 8, 2020
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
Sportstar

WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...

It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.

time-read
6 mins  |
February 8, 2020
A question of recognition
Sportstar

A question of recognition

After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 8, 2020
Thinking straight, thinking right!
Sportstar

Thinking straight, thinking right!

“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 14, 2019
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Sportstar

The Big Three and the Next Gen

Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.

time-read
9 mins  |
December 14, 2019
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sportstar

WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH

Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 14, 2019
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Sportstar

Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room

Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 14, 2019
The league of the masses
Sportstar

The league of the masses

With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 14, 2019