Humpy: ambitious and doubly determined

By V.V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD, APRIL 28. The chess prodigy, Koneru Humpy, is determined to improve her opening and middle-game skills. Back from England where she achieved her second Woman Grandmaster norm, the 14-year-old, who held three Grandmasters to draws in the Hampstead International tournament last week, is confidence personified.

Humpy who spoke to The Hindu this morning, said her performance at the two tournaments in England-Oakham and Hampstead-was a mixture of good and not so impressive.

``Obviously, getting the second WGM norm was something special to me and this had doubled up my determination to get the title too. Now, that will be my next target,'' she explained.

Ironically, with the All India Chess Federation not hosting any major GM tournaments in the country, Humpy might be forced to tour some European countries to get the coveted title. ``We will soon decide about the schedule once the Bank of Baroda's annual sponsorship of Rs. 6 lakhs is renewed (it lapsed on March 31),'' says her father-cum-coach Koneru Ashok.

What pleased Humpy during her England trip was the way she handled the Grandmasters. ``Now I can confidently take on even the best in the business, though it may not mean necessarily winning every game,'' she says. The outstanding youngster confessed that she had committed quite a few tactical blunders in the third and fourth rounds of the Hampsted tournament in middle- games.

``And, I have decided to spend more time to be much stronger in openings from both black and white sides. I hope to overcome this as early as possible,'' she explained.

Ashok doesn't feel there is a need for a foreign coach till Humpy gets the WGM title. ``As of now, we can manage the events and she is capable of delivering the goods,'' he added.

If Humpy achieves the WGM title, she will be the youngest and only the second Indian woman player after Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi to do so. ``I am very keen to set that record,'' says a confident Humpy.

With an ELO rating of 2311, Humpy has certainly set her goals very high. She knows that the transition phase from being the World under-14 champion after having won the World under-10 and under-12 titles is fast getting over.

``I do realise that in the days to come, the competition will be of high standard and I am psychologically prepared for that,'' she says.

Observers have always admired the remarkable composure she displays when up against higher rated player. ``This is her biggest asset and once you have this quality, your strengths will take care of the other minor flaws and take you to great heights,'' says IM-elect P.D.S. Girinath, Andhra's best player in men's section.

The ninth standard student in Chalapathi Residential School (Lam, Guntur) is also hoping to cross the ELO rating of 2400 by the end of this year to inch closer to realising the dream of being crowned world champion. For one who spends her leisure time reading comics and playing badminton with her neighbours, Humpy also achieved her first IM norm in men's section during the Oakham tournament in England a few days back.

That there is a huge gap between Vijayalakshmi and Humpy and other strong contenders from the country is a fair indication of their consistency at the highest level.

Humpy has started to deviate a bit from her traditionally strong points of English opening to Reti line of attack and from Pric Defence to Carokann Defence for better results. She is also making an intensive study of the genius called Garry Kasparov.

She needs more financial assistance

But as it has been the case with some of the most gifted youngsters, Humpy badly needs financial support of a minimum of Rs. 10 lakhs per annum to realise her goals. Though Bank of Baroda is taking care of the major chunk of expenditure, it may not be a bad idea for Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh to lend her assistance as a token gesture. After all, when they so disdainfully bask in a champion's glory, there is nothing wrong in helping one to be a champion and take more deserving credit for doing so.

The slogan of Bank of Baroda, Humpy's sponsors, She captured the World title in Spain.....we merely took her there, should be a timely reminder to anyone who takes pride in producing champions. It is a different issue that the State Government hasn't so far bothered to give her a single paisa though she did the country proud by winning three World titles and the presitigous British Ladies championship last year.

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