MUMBAI, MAY 24: He comes from a small town in Andhra Pradesh - very few in India may have heard of - Chilakaluripeta. And he is 14 years of age. But what makes him so very different from the other school going boys is his mastery in the game of chess. Unassuming and shy, always sporting a teenage smile he is the youngest International Master India has produced. A prodigy, who has the makings of a master, he responds to the name Pendyla Harikrishna. A participant in the ongoing National `A' Chess Championship, Harikrishna, who is touted as the successor of Viswanathan Anand, has been keenly watched for his approach against some of the top players of the country. His exploits in the last three years speak for his potential and everytime he meets a Grandmaster his games evinces great interest by the chess fraternity.All the happenings around him, however, have little effect on Harikrishna whose mannerisms defy the champion within him. ``You want to talk to me,'' is his reaction when asked to spare some time. ``Okay. Tomorrow, it is a bye round for me,'' he says. When he is finally made ready to speak on the subject, which is his very own, the maturity is brought to light. ``I don't bother about anything when playing in championships, I just play my game.''He is however quite concerned about the way the Nationals have turned out for him. ``So far I have scored 2.5 points from six games. I lost one to Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, maybe I should've agreed for a draw.'' But that is momentary as he soon looks up with a twinkle in his eye, ``anyway I'll try for wins now.''When put up with the all-important question: What is your immediate aim? He responds in a flash - ``I want to become a Grandmaster in two years time,'' before making a correction. ``Two years or maybe whatever time. I am just trying for now.'' That's about it, he won't make any further statement for he speaks whatever comes to him naturally.When reminded about his successes against players like like Wang Zili of China and Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam and also that he is the second to win a World Junior title after Anand besides the U-10 crown, he just nods in approval not to play down the effect but just that he doesn't get excited. How does he practice for all this? ``I play on computers and read books,'' something that reminds him of his sponsor Wipro who contracted the prodigy in April taking care of his foreign travel, stay, expert coaching and computers. ``Wipro provides me with the backup,'' he asserts gently. A query on the plans to spend more time in Europe to enhance his skills make little impression on him. ``No, I have no such plans.''When asked as to how many times has he been to Europe, he replies quickly, ``Spain, three times, France two times, Turkey also two times and Iran, once.''Speaking about his daily schedule he explains that it is now fixed. ``I spend around six hours a day playing chess but that depends. I also go to my coach Koshy in Chennai whenever possible.'' The wizard attributes his foray into chess to his grandfather. ``He used to play with me and that's how I learnt,'' he says. Harikrishna, however, is happy that these days many youngsters are taking to the game.``Nowadays chess has become popular, more children are playing and that is good.'' A growing sportsman fine but what about his studies, ``I am in 10th standard now. But I don't go to school, I study from home and appear for exams.'' His school results may not be for all to see but in the game of chess he has certainly scored an A+.
