The Hindu : Negi is country's youngest rated player

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 13, 2002

Sport

Sport - Chess

Negi is country's youngest rated player

By Our Special Correspondent

Parimarjan Negi, the youngest Indian in the FIDE rating list.

NEW DELHI APRIL 12. Fresh from winning the Asian (under-10) chess title in Teheran earlier this month, Parimarjan Negi, at nine years and two months, has now gained the distinction of being the youngest Indian to enter the International rating list.

In the latest list released by the International Chess Federation, better known by its French acronym FIDE, Negi has been rated at 2061 points. These ratings, which commence from 2000, are indicative of a person's playing strength.

It is indeed a stupendous achievement for the soft-spoken Negi, whose performances in just two rated events proved good enough to earn him a rating. The previous record holder, according to the All India Chess Federation Vice-President, Mr. S. L. Harsh, was Gujarat's Vijil Pujara.

In the Piloo Mody International Rating tournament at Lucknow in October-November last year, Negi's four victims included three rated players. In January, this year, Negi went on to score 4.5 points against nine rated players in the National junior (under-20) championship at Panjim.

Ironic as it may sound, Negi hails from the Capital where chess has few takers. Lack of chess activities in the past had left many aspiring players disheartened, not to mention the indifference of the organisers and sponsors alike. It is this depressing background that makes Negi's small steps appear like giant leaps. Also, one hopes his exploits bring in patronage to the sport in Delhi.

Regardless of the discouraging scenario, Negi has remained quietly busy in producing some noticeable results. A student of Amity International School, Negi had done the country proud last year by winning the British (under-9) title, finishing runner-up in the under-8 and under-10 sections besides claiming the third spot in the under-11 category at Scarborough. The previous year, Negi had finished second in the under-8 and under-9 events.

Though Negi has won many age-group titles in the Capital, his best in the Nationals came when he finished runner-up in the National (under-7) chess championship at Ahmedabad in December 2000.

While the unassuming Negi was "happy'' to be rated, coach G. B. Joshi was pleased to note that the "goal'' was reached "at least a year earlier'' than anticipated. "Honestly, I expected him to make the rating list sometime next year. But he has worked very diligently all these months and the results are in keeping with his efforts,'' said Joshi.

Supported by SAIL, which gives him a stipend, Negi received Rs. 50,000 from the Delhi Government towards expenses for the Asian meet in Teheran. With the Chief Minister, Ms. Shiela Dikshit, assuring "all possible help'' the much-needed helping hand does not seem far away.

In the meantime, Negi has set his eyes on the World age-group championship to be held later this year in Greece.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport