8 year old Chennai student is the youngest participant in Chennai Open chess tournament
Posted on: 23/Jan/2016 9:45:17 AM
8 year old Bharath Subramaniyam has won the gold at the FIDE World Youth and Cadets Chess Championship. Bharath, a third Std. student at PSBB KK Nagar, has also topped the rankings at the Asian Youth Chess Championship in Suwon in Korea.
According to his coach, Bharath is one of the most promising youngsters. I usually don`t train people below 1600 ELO rating. But Bharath grabbed my tips at the very first attempt when he was just six years. I knew back then that he was someone special.
Bharath is participating in the 8th Chennai Open International Grandmaster chess tournament. He is the youngest participant in the event. His elder brother, Bala, is the under 11 state chess champion as well. Their father, Hari, had represented Tamil Nadu at the Nationals in 1994. Says Hari, I used to play the sport and once my sons were born, I thought they might be interested. Thankfully, they picked it up and now that is all they think about... Their school is very supportive and till now there has been no complaints. I have told them to follow their heart. I try and motivate them whenever possible... I generally accompany them whenever possible. The last Greece tournament cost me 5 lakh. The State Association helped us on the way but I am searching for sponsors.
