Koneru Humpy feels India need 2500-plus Elo rating players to bring medals from Olympiad
Koneru Humpy has tasted a good amount of success in her so far illustrious career. From being the youngest female player to achieve a male Grandmaster title to becoming the second woman player to cross the 2600 ELO rating.
Despite all achievements, she faced a lot of criticisms too, either for crumbling under pressure in important tournaments or for putting personal goals ahead of the country.
At 22, Humpy has learnt how to take positives and negatives in her stride. Her pulling out of the Indian Olympiad squad created a major controversy when experts raised their voices. But women’s world No.2 feels the issue was blown out of proportion.
“I pulled out because I already had confirmed my participation for major events in Europe… For a tight schedule, I couldn’t have given proper time for the coaching camp before Olympiad,” Humpy said on the sidelines of Mayor’s Cup international chess tournament at Goregaon Sports Club, where she had a cakewalk in the first round against Siddhali Shetye.
He father and coach for long time, Koneru Ashok, also corroborated similar view. “We never confirmed our participation. It was never like we pulled out at the last moment. And I don’t think we have done anything wrong.”
Talking about the Indian’s chances at the Olympiads in future, Humpy says, “We still lack players to bring a medal from the Olympiad. We need players with rating of 2500-plus to expect something good in the international arena. Right now we are doing well in the junior and sub-junior categories.”
Apart from the controversies and setback in the 2008 World Championship, Humpy wants to start afresh. She wants to put in all her energies to qualify for the World Championship match in 2011. “My concentration will be on Grand Prix events, which will help me qualify for the 2011 eight-round World Championship match. I will participate in four of the six Grand Prix’s and my three best performances will be taken into account for qualification.”
The Grandmaster started on a winning note in the first of the six Grand Prix events held in Istanbul last month. A player with best result in Grand Prix will take on the world champion in a knockout format (to be held in 2010) for the coveted crown.
And she fancies her chances. “I think when you play in knockout format lot depends on luck as just one mistake can cost you the match. The new format is great and it will get the best out of a player. This format is stronger,” she felt.
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