Nationals next step for chess whiz Negi

“I am flying to Holland tomorrow to play an open tournament. This year has been a little rough so I’m looking ahead to some success,” said Negi who played in the Unive Open at Hoogeveen,Holland,last year as well.

His European trip doesn’t end there. After Holland,Negi will be playing in different leagues all over Europe till November end,when he finally returns to India. “The leagues are like team championships there but I consider them very important as good professional players come to play in them and you get good practice. Playing one tournament after another can make one lose energy and concentration,and that’s why I chose to play in the European leagues,” Negi says about his choice.

And this decision has been taken keeping the bigger picture in mind. Negi wants to be at his best when he comes to India in December to play the National Championships starting on the 7th of that month. At stake is a berth in the Indian team at the 2011 World Cup. Negi made an appearance in the international event last year,albeit a short one,marking a first round exit.

The Delhi lad is hoping the competition next year is an affair to remember. “If I win the National Championship,I will qualify for the World Cup next year as national winners are given a place,otherwise I will have to play the qualifying rounds. If you win a national championship you are seeded as well but I guess with a field of 128 players in the World Cup,seeding won’t really matter,” he adds.

But Negi is not one to count his eggs before they hatch. On being asked if the World Cup is his biggest target and he says: “But I need to qualify first.” And thankfully for him,the event is scheduled in several months later in November 2011. “After the nationals,I plan to concentrate on my board exams from January onwards,so there will be very little chess. I have invites from some tournaments after my exams but nothing is confirmed yet,” Negi signs off.