International Master Tanya Sachdeva added one more title to her already packed cabinet when she won her maiden gold in the Commonwealth Chess Championship in Colombo, now eyes Grand Master title
International Master Tanya Sachdeva
International Master Tanya Sachdeva added one more title to her already packed cabinet when she won her maiden gold in the Commonwealth Chess Championship in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday. Tanya finished on seven points without losing a game — scoring five victories and four draws in all.
International Master Tanya Sachdeva
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Tanya's last big win came when she won the second GM (Grand Master) norm at the Reykjavik Open in Iceland earlier this year. There she won the rating category prize and also the women's title in the open category. She is now just one norm short of becoming a GM and she is targeting the next two major events in the coming two months.
Two norms achieved
"I have achieved two norms and I am trying to achieve my third norm, (which is mandatory to become a GM). So I am eyeing the next two tournaments — the Abu Dhabi Open starting on August 21 and the Chess Olympiad starting in Azerbaijan on September 1—to achieve my target," said the 29 –year-old who was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2009.
Talking about her performance in Colombo Tanya said, "I was happy with my consistency. There were many strong and highly rated players in the fray but I didn't lose a single game. That I managed four draws against the four GM I played against worked in my favour. I am extremely happy to get the gold as that was one trophy missing from list and I hope to carry this form to the forthcoming Chess Olympiad."
Though Tanya has been to two Chess Olympiads and even won a bronze in 2012 she misses the euphoria, the glitz and glamour associated with the Olympic Games. "The Olympiads are vastly different from the Olympic Games. It is every athletes dream to represent their country in the Olympics. There is no platform better or bigger than this," said Tanya and added: "If chess makes it to the Olympics India will be able to field a very strong team, we will also be one of the top teams in the fray."
Chess is one among 26 sports that has applied for inclusion in the next Olympic Games in Tokyo. Chances of its inclusion are pretty low as the mind game is not very popular in Japan but a final decision will be taken by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sometime soon.
Drop in rating
Tanya's Fide rating dropped to 2401 from a high of 2443 which she achieved in September 2013. When asked if her marriage to Delhi-based architect Viraj Kataria in 2014 the reason behind her slip in ranking, Tanya said, "I won't say there was any problem, or my ranking slipped due to my marriage.
But yes, I took some time adjusting to a new environment with new people and new responsibilities. But my husband and my in-laws have been very supportive. In fact that was one of the conditions before marriage. Things are improving and now I am in a much better space both in terms of my relationship and my game." The results in the game and the smile on her face, are actually proving that point.
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