And it paid rich dividends for the 16-year-old bespectacled player from Chennai won two International Master norms in two international tournaments.

After winning the National Under-20 title, Kidambi's high-point in his career must have been the two norms he earned, first in the Biel Chess Festival and the second at the British Open in Scarborough immediately after.

Sasikiran took a year off studies to concentrate on chess and the rise in the National Junior champion's progress is there for everybody to see. Not surprisingly, Kidambi's coach is Sasikiran's father Krishnan.

``Taking the year off from studies has given me the time and the opportunities to concentrate on my game,'' said the 11th standard Padma Sheshadari school student.

``Over the year, I have done nothing extraordinary except spend more time playing which has improved myperformance. Then, the opposition I faced in Biel and Scarborough was really tough. In the 22 games of chess that I played over these two tournaments, I faced only three untitled players,'' said Kidambi, who will be participating in the World Juniors after the National B here.

In effect, it will be almost two-and-a-half months of chess for the National Junior champion. ``I have only spoken to my family. My mother is with me, but tonight, she will leave for Chennai,'' said Kidambi.

In the two tournaments at Biel and Scarborough, Kidambi's best win was against Grandmaster Cvitian who had a rating of 2515. He also earned a draw against Alexander Baburin (2596) and some other Grandmasters.

Achievements

Under-14 Rapid National title in 1996 at Calicut
Runner-up in '96 under-18 Nationals at Bikaner
Third in '97 under-18 Nationals at Moga
Winner of '99 under-20 National title at Jallandhar
Commonwealth '99 under-18 title at Bikaner
11-game IM norm in Biel Chess Festival and BritishOpen