:InterviewwithIndia'slatestGM:AnkitRajpara
"Ifyoulovechessthenyouareattherightplace!"SagarShah.
Aboutme MyChessBaseArticles
GoPro Sunday,March16,2014
InterviewwithIndia'slatestGM:AnkitRajpara
HeisthelatestGMofIndia.Afeatthathehasachievedatthetenderageof19.5years.HemadeasupersprinttowardstheGMtitlebycompletingal
his3normsinjust6months.Thatjustshowstheamountoftalenthepossesses.
BeforetheinterviewIknewAnkitasaverydedicated,sincereandhardworkingpersonbutaftertheinterviewtherearesomanynewqualitiesabouthim
Idiscovered.Kindhearted,Noble,verypractical,aconstantthirstforimprovementandaboveall,anextremelyhumblehumanbeing!Inthisinterviewy
willnotonlygettoknowthistalentedGrandmasterbetterbutalsogetalotoftipsandideasfromhimastohowyoucanbecomeabetterchessplaye
GoProHero4
Adventure...
INR30,999.00
Shopnow
Followers
(122)
BlogArchive
2016(2)
2015(27)
2014(49)
December(2)
November(17)
September(1)
August(2)
July(3)
Withacurrentratingof2506,Ankitisthe35thGMofIndiaand2ndfromtheStateofGujarat.
June(2)
May(2) InthisinterviewARstandsforAnkitRajparaandSSstandsforSagarShah.
April(5)
SS:HowdoesitfeeltobecomeaGM?
March(5)
AR:Itfeelsreallygreatespeciallybecauseitwascompletelyunexpected.IgotmytwoGMnormsandincreased51ratingpointsinmylasttwo
OliverBarbosaconquers tournaments.GettingtheGMtitleisadreamofeveryprofessionalchessplayerandIamreallyhappytohaveachievedit.YetifyouaskmethetruthIa
KolkataOpen2014.
yettodigestthisfactentirelythatIhavebecomeaGM!(smiles)
InterviewwithIndia'slatest
GM:AnkitRajpara
SS:YouplayedtwotournamentsbeforeyoubecameaGM.i.eCasinoGrazinAustriaandCannesOpeninFrance.Youwere2455with1GM
UnderstandingChess, norm.Whatwereyourexpectationsfromthese2tournaments?
Anand'sway!
AR:Myaimswereprettymodest.IwantedtotryandscoreanotherGMnormandincreasemyratingby1520points.ButIhadagutfeelingthatthese
AnandgiveshisfansAnand tournamentswouldbespecial.BeforegoingtothetournamentsIeventoldmymotherthatseeintheyear2013AkshayrajKorewentto2tournamentsin
(happiness)!! Francewithexactlythesameratingasminei.e2455andwontheCannesOpenandbecameaGM.MaybeIcandoanencore!
Candidates2014! ThusitwasquiteacoincidencethatIandAkshayrajKorebothbecameGMsbywinningtheCannesOpen!
http://sagarteacheschess.blogspot.ae/2014/03/interviewwithindiaslatestgmankit.html 1/10
11/13/2016 ChessIsMyLife!:InterviewwithIndia'slatestGM:AnkitRajpara
February(4) SS:Thatisreallywonderful!YoubecameaGMbybeatingGMYuriYakovichinthe8throundoftheCannesOpen.Canyoutellwhatexactlywa
January(6) goingoninyourmindwhenyouweresoclosetobecomingaGMandalsoyourfeelingafterbecomingone?
AR:MygamewithGMYakovichwasextremelycomplicatedbutsuddenlyhemadeamistakeandIwasabletosacrificeaknight.AfterthatIknew,ifI
2013(50) playednormalchess,thepointwasinthebag.ButImusttellyouthatinthepastIhaveoftenfallenpreytosomewishfulthinkinginsuchtensesituation
2012(6) BeforeIbecameanIM,Ihadmade7IMnorms.SothatjusttellshowmanytimesIhadbotchedupduringcrucialmoments.SoIknewitsnotoveruntil
overandhencetriedtocontrolmyemotions.Iwasn'tnervous.InfactIcalculatedwithextremefocusandconcentrationrightuptotheendandfinallywhe
2011(13)
wonIknewIhadbecomeaGM!
PopularPosts SS:Sothenthecelebrationsbegan?
AR:No!ThelastroundwasstillleftandIwasfacingthesuperstrongChineseGMfamedforhisopeningpreparationGMLiChao.Ihadahalfpointlead
AChessthemed andIhadthechancetowinthetitleandhencethecelebrationshadtowait!
IndianWedding!
Interviewwith
India'slatestGM:
AnkitRajpara
Matingthe
CastledKingA
review
AnkittakingonLiChaointhefinalroundoftheCannesOpen2014.
SS:Thatisexactlymynextquestion.InspiteofbecomingaGM,howdidyoucontainyouremotionsandprepareyourselfforthefinalround?
AR:WhenImademyfirstGMnorminGreece,Ididitwitharoundtospare.SoIwasincompletecelebrationmode.Icalledalmosteveryone,myparen
relatives,coaches,friendsetc,InthelastroundIhadthechancetowinthechampionship.Ihadawinningpositiontootowardstheend.Butbecauseof
theenergyIwastedonthepreviousday,IwasnotabletofocusandIcouldn'twinthetournament.Thateventwasetchedinmymemory.Infactthereh
beenmanytournamentsinthepastwhereItookbackwithmesomeortheotherregret.Inthistrip,Ihadplayed17roundsperfectly.Therewasabsolute
noregret.Ijustdidn'twanttospoilitthistime.SoIpreparedhardbeforetheround.IjustcalledmyparentsandtoldthemthatIhadbecomeaGMand
askedthemnottotellanyone.Theycouldwaitfor12morehours.Becauseifpeoplegettoknowyourachievement,theystartwritingyouemailsandon
facebookandifbymistakeyouseeit,itcanreallybotheryouduringthegame!SoIkeptthenewsinthefamily,cookedmyfood,hadagoodsleepand
wenttoplaythefinalroundwhichIdrewthankstomypreparationandthusbecametheCannesOpen2014Champion.Thatswhentherealcelebrations
began!
SS:WonderfulcontroloveremotionsandnervesAnkit.IthinkyourbehaviourwassoverymaturedafterbecomingaGM.TrulyGMmaterial!
So,letsbeginwithyourinitialjourneyinChess.Wherediditallbeginfrom?
AR:IstartedplayingchesswhenIwas7yearsold.IliveinMehsanaandIusedtogomyuncle'splacequiteoften.Hetaughtmehowtomovethepiec
AndeversinceIstartedplaying,Istartedperformingwellinthetournaments.Localcoacheswereprettyimpressedbymytalentandaskedmyparentst
getmeseriouslyinvolvedinthisgame.Basicallythatshowthejourneybegan!
SS:Sowecansaythatyouwereanaturalatthegameofchess!
AR:Well,youcansaysobutIwasintosportsrightfromtheagewhenIwas3yearsold.Itwasmymother'sdreamthatIshouldexcelatthesomeorth
othersport.IwastheStateskatingchampionandIwasprettygoodatKaratetoo.Butsoonwerealizedthatphysicalsportwasnotreallymyforteand
that'swhenwefoundthewonderfulgameofchess!
SS:WhomdoyouattributeyoursuccessofbecomingaGMto?
AR:Ofcourse,firstandforemostithastobemyfamily.Myfatherisateacherinaschoolandhencecannotaccompanymetothetournaments.Beside
hehastolookafterthefinancialaspectofthefamily.Somymotherwouldaccompanymetothetournaments.Mymother'ssupportduringthetourname
wasthekeyreasonformeimprovingatthisgame.Atthesametime,Isalutemyfatherwhomanagedthehouseintheabsenceofmymotherandtookc
ofmyyoungerbrother.
SoinshortmyentirefamilyhasworkedatleastashardasmeformetoachievethisGrandMastertitleandIshallalwaysbeindebtedtowardsthem.
Mysponsors,Adanigroupwhohavehelpedmealwayswiththeirfinancialbacking
Andyesnottoforget,Gujaratgovernment.BecauseitwasthemwhosponsoredthisforeigntripinwhichIbecameaGM.AlsoinDecemberIhada2w
campwithGMElizbarUbilavawhichwasalsosponsoredbythestategovernment.Sotheyhavehelpedmealot!
SS:UsuallyitissaidthatGujarati'saremoreintofieldsrelatedtobusiness(dhandha)andmoneymaking.Buthereyouare,withyourGujarati
backgroundexcellinginthefieldofsports.Howdiditbecomepossible?
AR:Inmyfamilytherewerelotsofteachers.ForexamplemylateGrandfatherwasateacher,myMaternalGrandmotherwasaPrincipalofaschooland
youknowmyfatherisalsoateacher.Somyfamilywasneverintobusiness.Anditwasmymother'sdreamtoseemeexcelinsports.Thusyoucansa
wewerenotatallatypicalGujaratifamily!
SS:Whathasbeentheimpactofchesscoachinginyourlife?Doyougivethecreditofyoursuccesstoyourcoaches.Ifyes,thentowhom?
AR:Ofcourse!Coacheshaveplayedanimportantpartinmychessimprovement.
ThethingisthatitsveryeasytofindacoachthesedaysbutextremelydifficulttofindaGURUwhoisreallyinterestedinyourchessprogress.Iwasluc
inthataspectthatIgottheguidanceofmanysuchteachersinmylife.
http://sagarteacheschess.blogspot.ae/2014/03/interviewwithindiaslatestgmankit.html 2/10
11/13/2016 ChessIsMyLife!:InterviewwithIndia'slatestGM:AnkitRajpara
WhenIstartedplayingchessIwenttoadoctorwhousedtoteachchessashishobby!HisnamewasDr.KashyapJoshi.Heusedtoenjoythegameof
chessandIwasunderhistutelagefor1year.Thusduetohim,mybasicsbecameprettystrongandIalsobecametheu9statechampion.
Thenextpersonwhoreallyhelpedmereachthe2200levelinchesswasRaghunandanGokhale.Rightfromourfirstsessionwedevelopedabondthatw
unique.Heisaverykindperson.Apartfromhisexcellentchesscoachinghewouldoftenlendmebooks,sendmeinformativematerialonemail,evenfin
somesponsorsformeandreallybemymoralsupportintimesofdifficulty.ItwasthankstohimthatIcrossedthefirsthurdleof2200.
SS:Sothenwhowasyournextcoach?
AR:MynextcoachwastheveryfamousIndiancoachGMRBRamesh.Icouldn'tgoonaregularbasistoChennaitolearnfromhimandhencewewor
onlinemostofthetimes.ItwasonlywhenIbecame2380thatIwenttostudychesswithhimpersonallyinChennai.Heisagreatcoachanditwashew
primarilyhelpedmetobecomeanIM.AndevennowwestayintouchandhehelpsmetoimprovemygameandcontributedtomyfeatofbecomingaG
SS:From19002200itwasRaghunandanGokhale,from2200toIMtitleitwasGMRBRamesh,sowhotookyouuptothecovetedGMtitle?
AR:ItwasGMAlexanderGoloshchapovfromUkraine.Wehavenevermetineachotherinpersontillnow.Ithasalwaysbeenonlinecoaching.ButIfee
extremelycomfortabletotrainunderhimasheisa2580playerandhaspassedthroughthestageswhereIamrightnow.Ihavedevelopedagoodrappo
withhimandIintendtoworkwithhiminthedaystocome.
Ankit'sCoaches.
SS:Doyouthinkcoachingisreallyindispensableforeveryambitiouschessplayer?
AR:Iwasabletobeartheexpensesofcoachinginmybidtobecomeabetterplayer.Noteveryonecandothat.ButIthinkifyouworkonqualitybooks
thenyoucanimproveyourchess.TakeforegtheGrandmasterPreparationseriesbyAagaard.Thosearewonderfulbooksandanystudentwhoseriousl
indulgeshimselfinthestudyofsuchbooksisboundtoimprove.Ofcourseitsnotasubstituteforcoaching.Butiftodaysomeonecomestomeandsay
thatyoucannotbecomeaGMwithoutcoaching,Idon'tbelievehim.
SS:Sowhichotherbooksaccordingtoyouarereallyworthreading?
AR:ThesebooksonGandmasterpreparationseriesbyAagaardarereallygood.AndofcoursethebooksbyDvoretskyarejustexcellent.ButIdonot
recommendDvoretsky'sAnalyticalManual!(laughs!)Dvoretskyhimselfmentionedthatthatbookisfor2700+playersandpersonallyIthinkhehaswritt
thatbooktomakethechessplayersfeelmiserableandtotellthemthattheystillhavealottolearninchess!
ButwhenIpersonallymetDvoretskyinRussiaafewyearsback,herecommended2bookstomeforknowingmoreaboutchesspyschologyandthose
bookswere:
1.7deadlychesssins
2.ChessforZebras.
BoththebooksarewrittenbyGMJonathonRowsonandyouhavetoreadthemmanytimestounderstandthedepthofwhatheistryingtosay!
SS:Ankit,onethingwhichIhaveneverbeenabletounderstandseeingyourgamesiswhatisyourrealstrength.Whatdoyouthinkisyour
biggestassetwhenyouplayagameofchess?
AR:Thatsadifficultquestion.Icantellyoualotaboutmyweaknesses,butstrengths(takesapause)Ireallydonotknow.
SS:Comeonyouarebeingtoomodest!
AR:(laughs)Well,onethingthatIfeelIamgoodatismakingintuitivedecisions.YouknowIwilloftenmakeamovethatisthebestinthepositionandI
won'thaveanygoodexplanationastowhyImadethatmove.SoinshortyoucansaythatmyintuitionismystrongestpointinChess.Andonemoreth
thatIamgoodatisthatIrarelymakehugemistakes.Maybeonceinawhile,butmoreoftenthannotmyopponent'swillhavetoplaygoodchesstobea
me,Iwon'tgivethemthepointonaplatter.
SS:Whatisyourapproachtotheopeningphaseofthegame?
http://sagarteacheschess.blogspot.ae/2014/03/interviewwithindiaslatestgmankit.html 3/10
11/13/2016 ChessIsMyLife!:InterviewwithIndia'slatestGM:AnkitRajpara
AR:Iamnotreallyacomputerguy(doesn'tusemuchofchessengines).SoIneedtoplaylineswithlimitedanalysisandmoreunderstanding.Thatswh
myusualapproachtochessopeningsistoplaysomesidelinewheremysuperiorunderstandingwilltakeprecedenceovermylackofknowledgeorconc
analysisofthatvariation.
SS:Manystrongplayershavementionedinthepastthattobecomeastrongplayeryoumustplaythemainlines.Don'tyouthinknotplayingt
mainlinesaffectsyourchess?
AR:Ithinkplayingthemainlinesisimportantbutthenhowmuchtimecanonedevotetotheopeningphaseofthegamealsoshouldbetakeninto
consideration.Iamastudentwhohastogotocollege,giveexamsevery6months,Iknowmylimitations!ThebestthingaboutmystyleisthatIamno
searchingforanadvantagewithwhite.Ijustdon'twanttofallintomyopponent'scomputerpreparation!Soforeg.IplaytheBb5linesaswhiteinthe
Sicilian.Iknowthatitsverydifficulttoplayforanadvantagewiththatlinebuttheresulting,drypositionsaretomyliking!Ijustwantaplayableposition
shiftthefocustothemiddlegamewhereifyouplaybetterthanmethenyoucanbeatme!ButIwillnothavealosingpositionfromtheopening!
NowthatIamaGMIwilltrytoplaymoremainlinesbutstillIbelievethattherightmixtureofmainlinesandsidelinesisthemostoptimummixforach
player.
Ankit'sAdvice:Morethanplayingthemainlinesorthemosttopicallines,itismoreimportanttoplaytheopeningsinwhichyoufeel
comfortable!
SS:Thatwassomereallygoodadviceyougaveregardingtheopening!Soletmeaskyouforyourapproachaboutthemiddlegameinchess!
AR:Ithinkthemostimportantthingtorememberwhenworkingonyourmiddlegameisthebalance.Therearesomanyfacetsofthemiddlegamelike
Calculation,Intuition,Positionalplay,Prophylacticthinkingetc.Youhaveworkonallofthem.YoucannotjustsaythatIwillbecomeaGMbasedonmy
calculationorintuitionalone.Iwillgiveyoumyexample.BeforethetournamentswhenIfocusexcessivelyoncalculation,Itendtooverthinkincritical
positionsduringthegameandthenIgetintotimetroubleandlosethegame.
SoIfeelabalanceisthekeyhere.Supposeyouhaveonemonthforanimportanttournamentandyouareworkingonyourmiddlegamethenfirstand
foremostbetruthfultoyourselfandmakealistofthingsthatyouarestrongatandwhatyouareweakat.Andthenyoucangivelesstimetoyourstreng
andmoretimetoyourweakness.Butneglectinganypartofmiddlegamepreparationwillnotbebeneficialforyouasachessplayer.
Andfinallythisisthekey:Nomatterhowmuchtimeyouhaveintheday,donotneglecttacticaltraining(solvingtacticsfromanybook).Youmustdoitfo
anhoureveryday.Itsjustlikegoingtothegym.Itkeepsyoufitandpreventsyoufromblundering!Justdothisreligiouslyandyouwillseeimmediate
resultsinyourupcomingtournaments.
SS:TheOpeninghasbeensuccessful,andsohasbeenthemiddlegame!Please,yourinputsonthelastphaseofthegame!
AR:IthinkfirstofalleveryplayermusthavegoodideaaboutRookendingsbecausehalfofyourendgameswillberookendgames.Tofindagoodsourc
studythoseendgamesisthekey.
IrecommendFundamentalChessEndingsbyMuellerandLamprechtforastructuredstudyoftheendgame.
Ifyouseecarefullyintheabovepicture,thenyouwillrealizethatAnkitisnotaloneinrecommendingtheFundamentalChessEndings!
http://sagarteacheschess.blogspot.ae/2014/03/interviewwithindiaslatestgmankit.html 4/10
11/13/2016 ChessIsMyLife!:InterviewwithIndia'slatestGM:AnkitRajpara
Buteveryonemustknowthattherearealwaystwotypesofendgames.Oneistheoreticalandotherispractical.Usuallyyouhavetoplaythelatterfirsti
ordertoreachtheformer.SoFCEwillcoverthetheoreticalendgamesandforpracticalendgamesIrecommendbookswrittenbyShereshevsky.Theyha
commentedgamesandshowyouingeneralhowyoucanbebetteratpracticalendgames.
SS:Whatisyouropinionaboutphysicalfitnessforimprovingatchess?
AR:Iwasnotgivingmuchimportancetophysicalfitnesstillveryrecentlyinmychesscareer.ButaftermydismalperformanceinChennaiinJan2014,
decidedtostartjogging.Ihavebeenjoggingquiteregularlyandithelpstobuildmystamina.OfcourseinlongeventslikeNationalBandalsoinforeign
tournaments,staminaisveryimportantandhencephysicalfitnesscanmakethatdifferenceinthe5thhourofplayorinlastfewrounds!
IwouldliketosharemyexperienceofmeetingtheveryfamoussportspsychologistBhishmarajBaminNashikbeforegoingtomytriptoAustriaandFra
thisyear.Myreasonsforperformingbadlyrecentlyhavebeenmorepsychologicalthanduetochessreasons.SoBhishmarajBamtoldmetofocuson
certainYogasanasandalsopranayamandbreathingtechniqueswhichcouldbedonebeforetheroundorevenduringit.Hetoldmetohavefaithonmyse
andtobelieveinmyabilities.Themeetwithhimwasoneofthekeyreasonsformygoodperformanceintherecenttournaments.Iwouldliketothankhim
andIhighlyrecommendhisbooktoallchessplayersasthereisaspeciallydedicatedchapterinitforchess!
ThemeetwithBhishmarajBamhelpedAnkitbecomeaGMandhehighlyrecommendshisbook:WinningHabits.(youcanbuyitfromtheone
theadsinthetopleftcornerofthisblog)
AR:Ithinkthisbookcanreallyhelpthoseplayerswhoarestuckinsomephaseofchessimprovement.Ireallywantthisinterviewtobenefitasmanych
playerswhoreaditandhenceIreallydon'twanttohideorkeepanysecrets.
SS:Thatsreallyanoblethought!
SS:Ankit,TherearealotofplayersinIndiasayverystrongIMswhoarestrugglinginthe24002475zoneandyouliterallyblitzedthroughthis
phasetobecomeaGM.Howdoyouexplainthis?
AR:Letmefirstmakeonethingveryclearbeforeansweringthisquestion.TherearemanyIMsinIndiawhoIthinkplaybetterchessthanme.Soletsbe
veryclearaboutthis.
SecondlyItoowasstagnatedinthiszoneforalmosttwoyears.Likeinmid2012whenIwenttoGreeceIwas2412andcamebackwitharatingof2469
AndnowbeforethistripinFeb2014Iwentwitharatingof2455.Sothat'salmost2yearswithoutanysignificantimprovementinrating.Buttheimportan
thingisthatIreachedthetitleofGMnow.
Ihaveaveryinterestingstoryregardingstagnatinginchessandnotjuststagnationbutdegression.
InAug2010,Iwas2380with3IMnorms.IwasonthevergeofbecominganInternationalMaster.ButthenIplayed34tournamentsinarowand
decreased100ratingpoints!Iwas2281now!Andasachessplayeritwasthemosthorriblephaseofmylife.NowordscandescribewhatIwentthroug
backthen.
SS:Icanunderstandwhatyouaresaying.Imyselfamgoingthroughthatsamephase.Sotellushowyougotoutfromthatsituation?
AR:ImustsaythatatthatpointIhadnoenergytofightback.ItwasmyparentswhomotivatedmeandtoldmethatIhadwhatittakestobeanIM.Fro
thatexperienceIknowthatthemostimportantthingistogetbacktoworkingonchesswiththesamezealandenthusiasmthatyouhadbeforeyourrati
fall.Itsverydifficultbutyoumustmakeastart.Onceyougetbackintoyourdailygrindofworkinghardonchess,youslowlystartforgettingaboutyour
ratinglossandfocusmoreonbecomingabetterplayer.Thoseinitialdaysofgettingbacktosincerehardworkonchessarethetoughestaccordingtom
SS:SosincereHardworkandmotivatingyourselfisthekey?
AR:Yes.Itwilloftenhappenafterasetbackthatduringcriticalmomentsinthegameyouwillstartdoubtingyourselfbecauseofthelackofconfidencein
yourabilities.AtsuchpointsIthinkyouhavetobelieveonthehardworkthatyouhavedonepriortothetournamentandthatcanhelpyoutobemore
confident.
Ifyouhavethestrength,thenwithhardworkyouareboundtomakeacomeback.Believeme.BecauseIwas2281.Iputmyheartandsoulinpreparatio
thankstothemotivationofmyparents.ThenIplayedNationalJuniorsandgainedexactly19pointstocomebackintothe2300category.Andthenthen
tournamentwasMayorscupinMumbaiwhereIwasunbeatenandgained50ratingpoints!andwithinnotimeIwasbackto2350!Andinthenext3
tournamentsIbecameanIM!!
http://sagarteacheschess.blogspot.ae/2014/03/interviewwithindiaslatestgmankit.html 5/10
11/13/2016 ChessIsMyLife!:InterviewwithIndia'slatestGM:AnkitRajpara
Alotoffocus,grimdeterminationandtenacioushardworkisthekeytomakingacomebackafterasetbackinchess!
SS:Whataninspiringstory!IthinkifIbecomeandIMsoon,alotofthecreditwillgotoyouforthisstory!(laughs)
AR:Thankyou!Iwilllookforwardtothatday!
SS:Ankitthenextquestionisprettydirect.Ihopeyouwillnottakeitingoodspirit.
Youhaveoftenoffereddrawsinwinningpositionsandshownalackoffightingspiritonmanyoccasions.Mostnotablyyourrecentgamewith
AbhijeetGuptawhenyouwerewinningandyouofferedadrawintherecentParsvanathtournament.What'sthereasonforthat?
AR:LetmefirsttalkaboutthisspecificincidentwithAbhijeetGupta.PriortotheParsvanathOpen,IhaddecreasedalotofelopointsinChennai.Iwas
littlejittery.ThenIfaceAbhijitGuptawithwhomIhavelostof3previousoccasions.Andinsteadofhisusual1.d4heplayed1.c4.Therewentallmy
preparationoutofthewindow.WhenwereachedthepositionwhereIwascompletelybetter,Iwasnotfocusedonthepositionontheboard.Rathermym
wasindistressthinkingaboutthefactthatifIdrawthisgame,thenIllneed1outof2tomakeaGMnorm.IwasblackandIthoughtIwillbewhiteinth
nextround.Allthiscomesdownto1thing,Iwasscared,andIofferedadraw.
SS:Hatsofftoyourtruthfulness.
AR:Well,theAbhijeetGuptaincidentwasagreatshockforme.BecausenotonlydidIdrawthatgamebutalsolostthenexttwogames!Itwasthentha
decidedthatIwillnevermakeprematuredraws.ItsadifferentstoryifIcannotfindanadvantageandImakeadrawbutifIknowthatIambetterthenIa
sureIwon'tmakeadrawunlessofcourseIamwinningaChampionshiporqualifyingforanimportantevent.LessonwaslearntanditwasappliedinAu
andFranceandtheresulthasbeengreat!
SS:MorefightingchesswillbeonshowfromIndia'slatestGMnow!
AR:Yes!Iwon'tbeofferingdrawsinfightingpositionsnow.
NomoreprematurehandshakesforAnkit!
SS:Whichaccordingtoyouisthebestgameofchessyouhaveplayedtilldate?
AR:IthinkitwasmyrecentgameinFranceagainsta2613GMFernandoPeraltainthe4thround.ThebestthingaboutthatgamewasthatImade
absolutelynomistakes.IkepttheadvantageandevenintheanalysisIwasabletoshowthatwhite(Ankitwaswhite)wasbetter.SoIcansaythatthisw
agameinwhichIcompletelyoutplayeda2600+player!
Here'sthegame
http://sagarteacheschess.blogspot.ae/2014/03/interviewwithindiaslatestgmankit.html 6/10
11/13/2016 ChessIsMyLife!:InterviewwithIndia'slatestGM:AnkitRajpara
Ankit
Peralta,F.
10 CannesOpen
1.e4d62. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Be3 c6 6. h3 Qc7
8.Be2Nbd79.OOb610.Qd2Bb711.Rad1Rad812.Bh6e5
14. Bg7 Kg7 15. de5 de5 16. Nh4 Ng8 17. Nf5 Kh8 18. Nd6
Nb820.Nb7Qb721.b4Qc722.b5ab523.ab5Ne724.bc6Qc6
Rc826.Rb3Qc527. Qc5 bc5 28. Rb7 Nec6 29. Ra1 Nd8 30.
31.Nd5Nd432.Bd1N4c633.c3Kg734.Raa6Rb835.Ba4Rb6
Na537.Nc7f538.Ra6Nc439.Bb5Nd240.ef5Ne441.fg6hg6
Nf6 43. Rd6 Rf7 44. Na6 Nb7 45. Rc6 Rd7 46. Bb5 Rd1 47.
48.Ba4Ra149.Rd6Ra450.Nc5Rc451.Nd7Nd752.Rd7Kf6
Ra4 54. Rd2 Rc4 55. Rc2 Kf5 56. Kg3 Ke4 57. Rc1 Kd3 58.
59.Re3Kd460.Rc3Kc361.h4Kd362.Kf3
SS:WhatsanormaldayforAnkitRajparalike?
AR:Igotocollegeinthemorningandcomebackhomeandprepare!Thatsmysimplelife!:)Idon'thavemanyfriendsoutsidechessmainlybecauseIa
quiteanintrovert.IfeelsadsometimesbutIthinkithelpsmetostaymorefocused.
SS:IwasgoingtoaskyouwhetheryouhaveagirlfriendornotbutIthinkthatisruledoutnow!:)
AR:Nononono!(evenbeforeIcouldcompletemysentence!)Idon'thaveagirlfriend!
SS:Doyouthinkhavingagirlfriendisadistractioninchess?
AR:Yes!Whyjustchess,itcanbedistractingforanyprofession!TherearelotsofupsanddownsandIdidn'twantsomethingtocomeinbetweenmy
dreamofbecomingastrongchessplayer.Alsothefactthatitsthedreamofmyparentsmakesmemorefocusedaboutit.
SS:Doyouthinkstudiesarealsoanhindrancetoyouinyourpathofchessprogress?
AR:Sometimesitallbecomesveryhecticandtedious.LikeIcomebackfromatournamentandwithin2daysIhavetoappearforanexam.Soitisquit
difficultbutIwouldliketomaintainabalance.ItsmychoicethatIwan'ttopursuestudying.Nooneisforcingmetodoit.SocurrentlyIamdoingB.Com
LaterifthingsfallinplaceIwouldliketobecomeanIASofficer.Thosearemyambitionsrelatedtostudies.
SS:Whatareyourhobbies?
AR:IlovetoreadbooksandalsoliketolistentoMusic.Thesethingsrelaxmymind.
SS:Whoisyourfavouritechessplayer?
AR:ItisdefinitelyViswanathanAnand.Ithinkbeforebeingagoodchessplayer,youmustbeagoodhumanbeingandViswanathanAnandisanepitom
that.HeissomodestandKind.Suchqualitiesareseenrarelyintoplevelchessplayerstoday.
http://sagarteacheschess.blogspot.ae/2014/03/interviewwithindiaslatestgmankit.html 7/10
11/13/2016 ChessIsMyLife!:InterviewwithIndia'slatestGM:AnkitRajpara
Itdoesn'tcomeasahugesurprisethatVishyAnandisAnkit'sfavouriteplayer.
SS:AndwhataboutyourfavouritenonchesssportsplayerinIndia?
AR:WithoutdoubtthegreatSachinTendulkar!Ifyousee,thequalitiesofKindnessandModestyarecommonbetweenmytwofavouritesAnand&Sach
AndSachinhasalsothequalityofbeingsoconsistent.Evenwhenhefailedhemadeitapointtomakeathumpingcomebackjustabouteverytime.Inth
endheretiredfromthegameofcricketwithgreatdignity.Ireallyrespecthimforthat.
SS:WhodoyouthinkarethebrightestchesstalentsinIndiacurrently?
AR:(thinkshard)Quiteadifficultquestion.Ihavetwoyoungstersinmymind.TheyareMuraliKarthikeyanandAravindhChittamabaram.Iwaswith
AravindhinAustriaandFranceandImustsaythatheisarealtalent.
MuraliKarthikeyan(L)andAravindhChittambaram(R)areaccordingtoAnkitthebrighteststarsofIndianChess.
SS:YouranswerwasreallyrefreshingbecauseIwasexpectingeitherAdhiban,Lalith,SethuramanorVidit.
AR:OfcourseeachoneofthemisagreatplayerbuttheabovetwoplayersthatIhavementionedhaveageontheirside.
SS:Whatareyourfutureplans?
AR:IhavebecomeaGMnowandIam19.5yearsold.SoIthinkIwillatleastpursuechesswithmyhighestintensityforanother3yearsandafterthat
willtakeacall.
SS:SowecanexpectAnkittotaketheplaceofAnandtospearheadthechessinIndia?
AR:Itsquitedifficult!EverychessplayerinIndiadreamstobelikehim.Buttotellyouthetruth,thechancesofmereachingAnand'slevelareverylow.
ThemainreasonbeingIhaveotherprioritiesandambitionsinlife.Butweneverknowwhatthefutureholdsforus!(smiles)
SS:Ireallyhaven'tseenamorepracticalandrealisticchessplayerthanyou!
AR:(laughs)YesItrytobeobjectiveandtakeintoaccountthecircumstancesthatIamin.Itsoneofthosethingschessteachesyou!
SS:AnkitIaskedyousomanyquestions,youansweredeachoneofthemwithsomuchsincerityandconcentration.Ireallywanttothankyou
it.
AR:Youarewelcome!IalsolovereadingyourarticlesandIthinkyouareoneofthebestchesswriterscurrentlyinIndia!
SS:Thankyouverymuchforsuchahugecompliment.Iamsurewiththeinsightsthatyouhaveprovidedarereallygoingtobenefitmanyche
playersallaroundtheworld.
AR:Iwillbeveryhappyifthathappens!Youneverknowwheresomeonecanfindthatonehiddenhintorkeybywhichanewpathofsuccesscanbe
created!
SS:VeryTrue.ItwasapleasurechattingwithyouAnkit,IwishyouAllthebestinyourfutureendeavours.
AR:Thankyou!
AbouttheInterviewer:
SagarShahisanIndianChessPlayerwithanEloof2304.Hehas2IMnormstohiscreditandaimstomakechessaspopularaspossibl
PostedbySagarat10:53AM
http://sagarteacheschess.blogspot.ae/2014/03/interviewwithindiaslatestgmankit.html 8/10
11/13/2016 ChessIsMyLife!:InterviewwithIndia'slatestGM:AnkitRajpara
12comments:
PadminiRout March16,2014at1:51PM
niceandusefulinterview!
Reply
AbbyDen March16,2014at5:56PM
Yayankit!!superbinterview:)......Utrulyrockbuddy!!
Reply
LakshmiPriyaa March16,2014at11:34PM
ExcellentInterview.WaytoSagar!Andverygenuine,straightforwardandinsightfulresponsesfromAnkit...Appreciatehisnobleattitudeandintensionofsha
chessandlifelessonsforthebenefitofotheraspiringchessplayers...Bothuguysrock!
Reply
Anonymous March17,2014at10:06AM
Brilliantinterview.Thankyou.
AndcongratulationstoAnkitRajpara.
Reply
ecotric March17,2014at10:45AM
Yesquiteinformative&lotlotforyoungplayerstofollow,againyourbestinterview(thefirstonewaswithGMAbijitkuntesir)&manymanycongratulation
GMAnkitRajpara..........
Reply
SaumilPadhya March17,2014at6:32PM
Informativeandbalancedinterview...CONGRATULATIONStoANKITforachievingthefeatofbecomingGMandtoSAGARforconductingabrilliantintervi
evenaddedafewwordstomyvocablikeENCORE!Thanks..
Reply
DilipRaval March19,2014at5:50PM
ThanksalotSagarbhaiforgivinginsuchinterviewwithdepthviewsofAnkitBhai!!!!
ManypointsmentionedbyAnkitareveryuseful.Thanksbothofyouagain.
Reply
HarshKanoje September9,2014at9:53PM
superbinterview:D
Reply
VidhiKarelia January13,2015at4:47PM
Truesportsmanspirit.
ThewayAnkithasbeenstraightforwardwithoutturningtalksroundandacceptedhisweaknessesiscommendable!
SagarShahyourarticleshavealwaysinspiredmeandthisoneisthebestofallthecolumns..
Reply
Unknown April25,2016at4:40PM
Superinterviewsir.....Itsveryusefulforyoungplayers...
Reply
ABILASHK April25,2016at4:41PM
Superinterviewsir.....Itsveryusefulforyoungplayers...
Reply
IshanDeshpande October5,2016at5:14PM
Thankyoufortheinformativeinterview:)
Reply
http://sagarteacheschess.blogspot.ae/2014/03/interviewwithindiaslatestgmankit.html 9/10
11/13/2016 ChessIsMyLife!:InterviewwithIndia'slatestGM:AnkitRajpara
Enteryourcomment...
Publish Preview
NewerPost Home
Subscribeto:PostComments(Atom)
Subscribetotheblog
Emailaddress...
TotalPageviews
231,353
Simpletemplate.Templateimagesbygaffera.PoweredbyBlogger.
http://sagarteacheschess.blogspot.ae/2014/03/interviewwithindiaslatestgmankit.html 10/10