SHE IS YOUNG. SHE IS DYNAMIC. SHE IS FIERY. KRUTTIKA NADIG ON HER SPORT—CHESS

Had it not been for her mother Devika, Kruttika Nadig could be sizzling on the silver screen. Not that she desires it to be like that. But possibilities cannot be ruled out. The beautiful 21-year-old from Pune is elated after winning the National Women’s ‘A’ Chess Title in New Delhi. “Frankly, I’m not a sporty person. I like swimming and tried my hand at basketball in school, but now the most I do is go for an occasional trek.

I’m keen on adventure sports. I just don’t get a lot of time to do everything I like,” she says and adds, “I’m not a sports maniac. My dad enrolled me in a tennis class when I was a kid but I don’t think I was very good at it either. I took up chess as a hobby when I was seven years old. My favourite players are Gary Kasparov and Bobby Fischer. I don’t have any idols because although I respect great players I don’t magnify them in my mind.

Actually, I took chess quite lightly in the beginning. It was only when I was around 12 years old, and had some state championships under my belt, that I became more serious and professional in my outlook.”

Talking about her childhood and affection for her mother, Kruttika reminisces, “I was born in Mumbai but have lived in Pune since then. My father, Pradeep is an engineer by profession, and has a business. My mom was a school principal.

My elder sister, Karishma Ajmera is settled in Bangalore. I’m currently doing my graduation in arts from Symbiosis College, Pune. My mom knows all my strengths and weaknesses. She has seen me through some terrible patches and yet she had faith in me. There were times when I was dejected and wanted to quit but mom always pushed me harder. I’m grateful to her for that. Although she was a school principal, she never put too much pressure on me regarding either academics or chess.”

A country where sports like chess are not given its due importance, Kruttika managed to overcome all the impediments that came her way. Highlighting the issues of concern, Kruttika states, “I guess every sport has similar problems—lack of sponsorship, inadequate prize money and so on. But each medal I won earned me federation-sponsored foreign tours.

So, I was able to progress steadily if not rapidly. Now I am a professional, and manage my career independently. There were other small but nagging things, such as not being able to travel alone by train for tournaments due to safety issues. But in 2006 I got some relief in the form of a scholarship with Indian Airlines, which entitles me to free domestic flights.

Nowadays, the most pressing problem is to find and engage good trainers. I have worked with grandmasters in the past, and I am currently training with T Purushothaman from Andhra Pradesh. I want to work with some reputed foreign grandmasters but it is absolutely unaffordable unless you have sponsorship.”

When asked how she feels when all other sports, including chess take a backseat and only cricket and cricketers are worshipped in India, she says, “Well, I cannot blame cricket entirely. After all, our team is the best and the game is a religion here. I naturally do feel that other sports should be given due recognition. Now thanks to extensive media coverage, sports like tennis and badminton are gaining ground.

Chess is still on the backseat because it is not a spectator game. You cannot watch a chess game for even 10 minutes, let alone appreciate it, unless you have some basic training. Of course, once you make an effort to understand the game it is almost addictive, but most people don’t have the time for that. I think the organisers can try to improve the situation by having entertaining and articulate live commentary and broadcast for high-stake games such as the national championship. That would at least sow the seeds of interest in viewers.”

Ask her about her plans to improve the stature of the game and she modestly says, “I am still young and haven’t reached the peak as a player. However, in future, I would like to start an academy for children. A lot of trainers just want to spread awareness and popularise the game but I would not be satisfied with that. I would probably select a few and try to make them champions. I have thought about getting into sports administration as well, but the politics is a bit discouraging. Anyway, all this is for the future.”

When asked about her plans to make a foray into films or television, she smiles, “I have never really thought about this. I’m open to the idea, although I’m rather camera shy,” and affirms, “I still have a very long way to go in chess, and I definitely don’t want any major distractions until I fulfill all my goals.”

 However, she does not rule out the possibility of acting in a film based on chess, “That sounds like a novel concept. I would surely like to pitch in for any effort to popularise chess. I think I owe it to the game.”

Talking about her goals and ambitions, Kruttika states, “I always wanted to play against Kasparov but unfortunately he retired in 2004. I would like to play and beat Judit Polgar, who is the strongest female chess player the world has ever seen, and I want to do this while she is still in the top league.

I have attained the title of Woman Grandmaster this year. The next level is called International Master, and I’m on a single-minded journey towards achieving that.” And we are nothing but sure that she will checkmate the best of the best!

“I always wanted to play against Kasparov but unfortunately he retired in 2004.”

**Courtesy: Society