Greatest method to pursue chess is by not having a security internet: Vedant Panesar
Bengaluru: Earlier this month, a lesser-known Indian returned from Wijk aan Zee with a first-place end. Whereas Praggnanandhaa gained the much-vaunted Masters title within the Dutch coastal village, changing into solely the second Indian to take action after Viswanathan Anand, Vedant Panesar, a 21-year-old from Andheri, Mumbai, who shared the identical taking part in corridor, topped the Qualifiers. It earned him a spot in subsequent yr’s Wijk aan Zee Challengers.
He ventures that he’s picked up over a dozen Worldwide Grasp (IM) norms alongside the best way. Panesar, who has an Elo score of 2446, curiously, has chosen to not apply for an IM title.
“I accomplished my IM title again in 2023, possibly November or December. However I made a decision to not apply for the title,” Panesar instructed HT, “I need to be indifferent from outcomes and focusing solely on my progress and course of. An IM title would possibly open up doorways and assist with tournaments. However I used to be prepared to present it up. One of many issues I’ve noticed with plenty of gamers, particularly in Maharashtra, is that when they get the IM title, they both retire or change to teaching. So, I instructed myself that the easiest way to pursue chess is by not having a security internet.”
Panesar completed unbeaten and half a degree forward of the remainder of the sphere in Wijk aan Zee with 6/9.
“Wijk aan Zee was nothing like something I’d seen earlier than – an entire chess village. It’s a really small place, with hardly a number of thousand folks. There may be not a lot to go searching and its very chilly and windy. Each cafe, each place you go to, has chess. It’s virtually unimaginable to search out somebody who doesn’t play chess. Even my Airbnb host was a chess participant.”
Although he has a full-time coach in Hungarian Grandmaster (GM) Krisztian Szabo, Panesar reckons what works effectively for him is spending plenty of time coaching along with friends.
“Earlier than Wijk aan Zee I had a coaching camp with a few of my associates, who’re additionally gamers. They had been gracious sufficient to return over to my home and keep and practice along with me for per week. What I’ve noticed is that if two gamers can truly come collectively and apply collectively, it can save you up on teaching as a result of you’ll be able to be taught so much collectively, develop collectively. This strategy works for me so I don’t should be very teaching intensive as a result of I be taught so much by way of my friends as effectively.”
Panesar took up chess when he was round 9 or ten years previous and it occurred in probably the most random trend. He went on to win the Below-17 nationwide title. “My mom bought a name at some point that there was a gap in a chess class and requested me if I wish to go. I didn’t need to go for my tuition lessons that day, so I stated sure to chess,” laughs Panesar. “I used to be not very critical about it. I took a break from chess for a yr once I was in Class X. It’s solely after I completed my commencement that I started focusing totally on chess.”
He has a GM title on his thoughts subsequent and says he’s missed an opportunity to make a norm a few instances now. One of many causes Panesar selected to not apply for an IM title, is to maintain his drive to turn out to be a GM. It’s the title he cares most about. He’s hoping to attain it this yr.
“It may be extraordinarily arduous to make a dwelling out of chess, except you attain a sure degree,” says Panesar, “Fortunately, I’ve a sponsor now (Previous Bridge Capital, a portfolio administration companies agency) and it’s liberating to have help for my match and training bills. I can play my unique, attacking fashion and never maintain again.”
Panesar is “impressed” by the journey and success of India’s prime crop of younger gamers. “I’ve identified Arjun and Gukesh. I’ve even performed Gukesh a few instances. I didn’t get an opportunity to talk with them at Wijk aan Zee. Arjun wasn’t having an amazing match and Gukesh was all the time surrounded by followers.”
Except for taking part in chess, coaxed by associates, Panesar has been creating short-form social media content material about his chess journey. “Issues like how I bought right here, my pre-game coaching routine. I put up possibly one or two movies a month on Instagram. Typically I am going for months with out posting. But it surely has helped me construct a neighborhood. I get plenty of messages of help earlier than and after occasions. It’s nonetheless a really small account however manages to catch consideration. It’s one of many causes I suppose I ended up getting a shock invitation to Wijk aan Zee.”
