NEW DELHI, NOV 9: World under-12 girls' chess champion Koneru Humpy, who developed a passion for the chequred board and the mind-game at a very nascent age, has set herself a new goal -- winning the World Open Chess Championship.``I am very happy with my victory in the world under-12 girls' event but my aim is to win World Open chess title,'' Humpy told reporters here on her return from Spain.
Humpy, who did India proud by winning the World Championship in Oropesa Del Mar in Spain recently, became the only Indian to win two world titles.She was crowned world under-10 girls champion in cannes, france last year.
One of her greatest moments after winning the coveted title by outgunning favourite Tatiana Kosintseva of Russia on superior progressive scoring, was to receive congratulatory call from Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, the world number two player.
``He telephoned me and congratulated on my winning the title. He was happy to learn that I won second world title,'' Humpy said.
The soft-spoken11-year-old girl from Vijayawada, who sometimes finds it difficult to face `questions', is however, aiming to become an attacking player.
``At the moment I play safely, but in future, I'd like to be an attacking player just like Anand,'' Humpy said.
India's Anand and chess wizzard Garry Kasparov of Russia are her favourite players, but Humpy says: ``I idolise no one.''
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.