It was a starry Thursday night in the banquet hall of a five-star hotel in the heart of New Delhi. The best of Indian chess (both men and women) were present―a rare occurrence when it comes to the sport given the busy competition schedule. The brightest star amongst them was, without doubt, multiple-time world champion Viswanathan Anand. Flanking him were his teammates Vidit Gujarathi, B. Adhiban and K. Sasikaran with the fifth member of the team P. Harikrishna missing from the send off. On Anand's left was the women's team led by GM Koneru Humpy, D. Harika, Tania Sachdev, Padmini Rout and Eesha Karavade. In 2012, without Humpy, the women's team came fourth, while in 2016, the team came fifth.
The heavyweight Indian contingent was present for an interaction before leaving for Batumi, Georgia to take part in the 2018 Chess Olympiad to be held from September 23 to October 6, 2018.
India, seeded fifth in the tournament which will see 186 countries participate, is fielding its strongest ever contingent. The All India Chess Federation is keen on a podium finish and, more importantly, improve on its best ever finishes―third and fourth respectively in the men's and women's event in the past.
What makes India's chances to come back with a medal brighter than ever is the return of Anand and Humpy to the Indian team. Both represented India last in the Chess Olympiad 12 years ago.
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) and the team is bullish about its prospects this year. And with good reason. The preparations have been to the satisfaction of the players―intense and organised. AICF President P.R. Venketrama Raja said, “The Indian team's participation in the 43rd Chess Olympiad is indeed elating. We at AICF have been investing significant efforts in building a strong team and strategy in order to bag gold this year. With the leading grandmasters onboard, accompanied by seasoned players, we look forward to bring home the recognition. I wish all the players the very best.”
Anand appeared watchful yet very positive about the forthcoming competition, but that one can easily blame on experience and age―he is the oldest and the most successful member of the team. Speaking about his return to the team, the former world number one said, “This time I am leaving with a very positive feeling. Never experienced such professional organisation. All arrangements are very comfortable. Both the Federation and government has been very proactive.” The Indian men's team is coached by GM R.B. Ramesh.
Anand said he was looking to figuring out team dynamics. He had attended the first national camp, but couldn't attend the remaining. He has just finished with the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz event where he finished last. “I will try to figure out what dynamics they have established in the team and try to fit in. They have more recent experience of playing in the Olympiad and, hopefully, once we get onto the plane, we will share some stories.”
The federation held six national camps for the Olympiad, provided a strong server as requested by the team and coaches, and this time the team has even been provided with seconds.
On the chances of a strong performance from the men's team, Anand said, “Without my participation, the team has set a very high bar, of having already come third and fourth. It's a very strong team. I am very optimistic. Though it's going to be a very tough event, we will only find out how tough when we get there. I can't say one particular factor contributed. I have played with rest of the team members in other tournaments around the world. I have a good rapport. I see them very often, couple of them have been my seconds. I was quite happy to join the team. It worked out well this time. AICF approached me very early.”
The key, as per Anand to a strong performance from the team, would be consistency. “Will look for consistency there, we are rated quite high as a team. Nowadays in the Olympiad, distribution of strength is much more even. That makes it more unpredictable. Let's get to the eighth round then we'll know what our chances are.”
Former world number 2, GM Koneru Humpy has been away from the chess board for the last two years. She gave birth to a baby girl and returned to the chess board only a few months ago. She could not participate in the earlier national camps, but attended the last one held in Hyderabad. The excitement in her voice was difficult to miss when asked about her return to competitive chess and that too by participating in the Olympiad. “I missed chess. My daughter is 13 months old and I am leaving her behind with my parents,” she said. “I am very excited, playing after a long time. It has been nearly two years. I took a break from chess. We have our best team in the Olympiad, the best conditions to perform.”
Humpy admitted she had less team experience having played very few Olympiads in the past, but was well-prepared and bullish about Indian women's chances. “My experience with the team is less. I have played very few Olympiads. I last played in 2006. The girls are more active in tournaments and have been preparing for a very long time. It's not as easy. Even though we are seeded very good. We will have a high chance of winning medal. It's a very friendly team in high spirit.”
GM Tania Sachdev said a lot of hard work was put in by the team coached by Scottish coach Jacob Aagaard. “Our trainer Jacob is very good. The men usually had a full time coach for them, we didn't have one. It has made a lot of difference. The camps went on very well,” she said.
