Next up, the world is Tania’s field

If we go by her looks, it is difficult to imagine that a constantly giggling young lass has been crowned princess of Asia and that too in as serious a sport like chess...

If we go by her looks, it is difficult to imagine that a constantly giggling young lass has been crowned princess of Asia and that too in as serious a sport like chess. But as they say, looks can be deceptive; it is the firmness of her voice and clarity of conviction that make Tania Sachdev the champion she is.

The 21-year-old Delhi girl, who returned from Tehran, Iran earlier this week with the “biggest title” of her career so far, is the first Indian in 17 years to claim the honour. And the victory is ‘just a stepping stone to bigger things’.

The Asian title makes her eligible to represent India at the World Cup as the top three from the tournament qualify for the prestigious event.

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“It feels ‘cool’ to be number one in Asia. But the title is more significant because only the top three players were selected for the World Cup,” Tania told newspersons at a felicitation ceremony organised by Delhi Chess Association here today.

“What makes it even more special is that the field at the Asian Championship was pretty strong. It was tough to compete against the Chinese, Vietnamese and fellow Indians as well,” she added.

The success at the Asian event is a far cry from the forgettable performance at the Asian Zonal meet in August, where she finished last among the participating Indians. And no wonder Tania wants to build on this success with more consistent performances.

“Every player goes through good and bad performances. I was not inconsistent then but now I have no extra pressures of studies, since I am a graduate now. So I will be concentrating fully on chess. I have been sorting out my weak areas with my coach Vishal Shareen and we have been successful so far,” said Tania.

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“Now for the next four years, it will be only chess, “she added.

Tania would work with Lev Psakhis of Israel and Spaniard Elizbar Ubilava of Spain from next month before representing India in the second Asian Indoor Games at Macau.

“I have worked with Psakhis once before but I will again have a stint with him from next month. He makes you love the game which is very important for your motivation and passion to be sustained,” she said.

Tania said she was also working on her problem areas and leaving no stone unturned in her preparation for the World Cup.

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“I need to increase my fitness levels so I will do yoga for that. My openings are the weakest. I also need psychological motivation,” said Tania, a former Asian junior champion. Tania’s coach Sareen feels his ward can become a Grandmaster in the next six months.

“Her progress has been striking. She had a problem with consistency but if she continues like this for the next six months, she will be a Grandmaster at the end of it,” said Sareen.