She is undoubtedly the queen of the 64 houses. The fact was underlined again when she recently bagged the Women's National title in Delhi. While many believe that black is unlucky, she's won most of her matches playing with black pieces proving that in the brain game, there is no place for superstitions. Woman Grand Master (WGM) Kruttika Nadig's life is all about strategy- half on-board, half about the board.

"It is important to practice chess every day. I personally study my game for six-seven hours a day. While internet and computer software are the routine means, there are other sources such as books, practice games with friends in which we discuss the recent trends in chess and so on that keep me updated with the game," says Nadig whose decision to take up chess as the profession, despite the mastered on-board moves, wasn't a planned one. "I started playing chess in the summer vacations when I was seven. What began as a hobby became a serious obsession when I won the Bronze medal in Asian under 12 Championship in the year 2002. In 2003, I grabbed the first national title. It was however the title in 2004 that gave me the confidence that I can be the best in the country and defeat any of the opponents," says Nadig, 20-year-old Arts student.

With Vishwanathan Anand's strategies and Garry Kasparov's uncompromising attitude as her sources of inspiration, Nadig recalls meeting Vishwanathan Anand as one of the most memorable moments of her life till date. "I got the opportunity to meet Anand in Chennai on his birthday. Interacting with him after the party was an otherworldly experience. No player normally reveals the secrets of his game, but Anand shared with us the tactics that can be useful," smiles she.

Mastering the game of concentration, logic and strategy requires one to isolate from the routine botherations around, and Nadig says, "Like all other games, chess also involves sportsman spirit and killer instinct. In physical games one can push the routine botherations at the back of one's mind by diverting the attention, but in case of chess, since the brain is continuously being stormed, it is difficult to do so. So most of my practice sessions, other than learning the techniques also involve the practice of detaching myself from the world, emotions and stress."