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Even a bandaged leg can't stop Swati

By P. K. Ajith Kumar

KOZHIKODE MAY 31. She came in crutches with her right leg heavily bandaged. And she was leaning on her father for support.

Swati Mohota, a small-built girl from Kolkata, broke her leg on May 14 during the Sangli open tournament in Maharashtra and the doctor ordered bed rest for two months. But less than two weeks later, she decided to set out on a journey that would take 60 hours.

``You can play this tournament in Kerala at your own risk,'' the doctor had said in a stern voice.

But she knew she had to take that risk.

Indeed, Swati presented a picture of courage on the eve of the National `B' women's chess championship at Hotel Asma Tower on Friday.

She represented the determined, competitive face of Indian women's chess.

By arriving here against all odds, she has also brought to light the fact that women players get limited opportunities in India. To book a place in the National team, one has to finish in the top four of the National women's `A' championship. And to play in the `A' tourney, one has to qualify from the National `B'. So there was no way any player could avoid this tournament, especially at an age when one is no longer called a chess prodigy.

``I know it's a big risk, but if I miss this tourney I will be missing the whole year `na''' Swati told The Hindu, flashing a smile. "There's some pain still, yes,'' she said, looking at her plastered leg.

Swati knows it's not going to be easy to grab one of the 10 places available for the National `A' tournament. "It's going to be a strong tournament, surely,'' she said.

The defending Asian junior champion Tania Sachdev agreed with her.

"As I look around, I see many players who are difficult to beat,'' said the Delhi girl, glancing around the hall on the fifth floor of Asma Tower.

And what she saw there was some of the big names in Indian chess.

Swati Ghate, the top seed and a strong favourite for the crown, was there, looking smart in a new hair cut.

Also in the hall was Bhagyashree Thipsay, the veteran International Woman Master (IWM), who always loves to give her younger rivals a tough time.

Then there was Saheli Dhar Barua, another IWM with a Grandmaster husband. Sitting a row behind her was Saimeera Ravi, a potential IWM whose husband is an International Master.

Tania was also pleased to see one of her contemporaries, Kruttika Nadig.

\The Pune girl is in good form, having finished runner-up in the National sub-junior tournament which concluded here on Thursday.

Mary Ann Gomes from Kolkata was the winner of that tourney and will approach this tournament with plenty of confidence.

There are more talented girls in the fray — Eesha Karavde, Soumya Swaminathan, N. Raghavi, Saheli Nath and I. Ramya Krishna.

Interestingly, seven out of the 10 places in the previous edition at Pune were taken by players in the age-group categories.

Bhagyashree, an assistant general manager with IDBI who finds it difficult to devote more time to chess due to her job, is well aware of this fact.

"Today's kids are talented, well-prepared and very determined,'' said the five-time National women's `A' champion.

Another five-time champion from Mumbai, Anupama Gokhale, who has had many fierce battles with her for more than a decade, is also here. So are experienced campaigners like S.R. Radha and Jayashree Sankpal.

Meenakshi missing

One prominent name missing is S. Meenakshi, who has decided not to play. "My MBA examinations were over only today and I feel very tired,'' she told The Hindu over telephone from her home in Chennai. "I hope I would still qualify for the women's `A' by completing my Woman Grandmaster title.''

The tourney, which carries a prize fund of Rs. 60,000 including a first prize of Rs. 16,000 and attracted about 100 entries, will be played over nine Swiss rounds. It concludes on June 5.

Tourney inaugurated

The tournament was inaugurated at a simple function by the All Kerala Chess Federation (AKCF) president John Joseph, who spoke about women empowerment and chess in Russia. The All India Chess Federation president, P.T. Ummer Koya, presided over the function. Earlier in the day, he said he was delighted that Kozhikode was becoming busy again as a host for major chess events.

``The National sub-juniors was a great success, greater than we expected,'' he said. "Now, unlike in the past, there's strong support from the district sports administration. So I'm keen to bring more tournaments to the city.''

The Asian youth championship is the next tournament to be held here, from June 6. But the next six days will belong exclusively to some brave, ambitious Indian women like Swati Mohota.

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