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Tuesday, July 25, 2000 |
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Express Interactive
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`Being the first Indian WGM is special'
Subburaman Vijayalakshmi, the first Woman Grandmaster in the country, was yet to come to terms with what she achieved today in the Wipro Grandmaster Chess tournament on Monday. Immediately after earning a draw from P Harikrishna, she rushed out to speak to her parents, her father in particular. When she came back to spare some time for THE INDIAN EXPRESS her eyes were moist. She did not, however, try to hide her feelings during a chat with Vijay Tagore QUESTION: Are you crying? Q: What did your parents say? Q: How do you feel being the first Woman Grandmaster in the country? Q: What was your plan when you to the board today? Q: How was the game? Q: Did you have any plans before coming to this tournament? Q: What is your next goal?. Q: Any ambitions? Q: Your next tournament? Q: Your favourites? Q: Not Anand? Q: Have you ever met him? `Big breakthrough in women's chess' -- International Master N Sudhakar Babu. Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
Answer: Yes. When I spoke to my family members, I could not resist tears. My dad and mom and sister Meenakshi too were crying. I missed my other sister Bhanu. Unfortunately she was at school.
A: In fact, nothing. They were very happy. I'm also happy because I made my parents happy. My dad asked my to continue and try for the IM title. I've promised him I will. What I'm today is because of my dad. He is also my coach.
A: It feels great. I know there may be many WGMs in the country. But being first is special. No body can take this record away from me.
A: I thought I would take it as another game. But I would be lying if I tell you I was not tense before coming here. I came to the board after reading Bhagawat Gita.
A: The game was very good. I had a winning chance. But I was not willing to take chances. So I offered Hari a draw. He refused my first offer. But he had to accept in the end.
A: No. I didn't have plans for the tournament. I had planned before other tournaments. But the final norm has been eluding me. So I wanted to take things as they came.
A: I'll try to get the second International Master (among men) norm. This is in my reach in the tournament. I hope I'll get that by the end of this tournament.
A: Yeah. First I want to complete this IM title. Then I want to go for GM title. I've promised Koya uncle (Ummer Koya, AICF secretary) to do well in the World championship. He and the association have been very kind to me.
A: Olympiad. I want to do well in the Olympiad. Then, of course, I'll try hard for the World championship.
A: Garry Kasparov.
A: I like Anand also very much.
A: A few times at different functions. I've also played with him once in a simultaneous competition. I'm very proud that he too knows me. In fact, he knows me by name.
It's the best thing to have happened to Indian chess. A great beginning for Indian chess in the millennium year.
It doesn't concern me much if she became a the WGM in your country. The level of chess she plays is more than that of WGM. I'm surprised that she was not a WGM till today.
I love her style of play. The standard of her chess is very high. She deserves to be WGM. In my Chess Base I've found out I was not the only Grandmaster victim of her. She had beaten five GMs before beating me.
She is very a tough player. I've been seeing her in the men's circuit for some time. Give her slightest of chances she will exploit it.
She is a good fighter. The best thing about her is she is not overawed by the reputation of her opponents. I remember she came very close to being qualified for the men's National. Among Indian women, she is undoubtedly the best. In the men's circuit, I see her in bad position sometimes. But with a bit of training she will be a very good player in the men's competitions as well.
I'm very happy for Viji.
It is a big breakthrough for Indian women's chess. I was just wondering who will reach there first Humpy or Viji. I am happy for Viji because I thought she would make it last time in the Asian tourney.
