Prakash at door step of realising a dream

Prakash at door step of realising a dream
Express News Service

Kolkata, February 15: Dreams do come true if pursued with unrelenting vigour and total focus. Guruswamy Balagurunathan Prakash’s punishing hardwork over the last four years combined with his unwavering concentration over the board and uncomplicated style has enabled him to achieve fantastic results over the last one year. Prakash (2453 rating) has now become a GM-elect, requiring another 47 points to confirm his GM title.

The 28-year-old will be playing in Dhaka GM Tournament next week where he will try to reach 2500 rating which is the requirement for GM title. ‘‘I am happy for achieving my lifetime dream. My immediate task is to reach 2500. After that I would like to improve further and reach 2600,’’ reflected Prakash on his future aspirations.

Prakash will soon join the illustrious GM band of Viswanathan Anand, Dibyendu Barua, Krishnan Sasikran, Abhijit Kunte and Pravin Thipsay as the sixth GM from India. The turning point according to Prakash came last year in Goodricke when he defeated Argentinian GM Maxim Sorokin to make his first GM norm. ‘‘After making my first GM norm, I became confident and had no psychological problems fighting with the GMs,’’ said Prakash. ‘‘He is a solid player and plays in the classical style,’’ said Russian Andrei Kharlov about Prakash’s style.

It took him six years to become an IM while his GM norms have come exactly in an year which is quite amazing. The Millennium had been a breakthrough year with his second GM norm coming at his hometown Chennai in the Pentamedia GM. Another remarkable aspect to his GM norms has been his cool attitude and winning games when it was required.

Prakash’s style is akin to a patient tennis baseliner, who keeps grinding, slowly pushing his opponents to death. Being a great admirer of former World champion Anatoly Karpov, Prakash has taken a leaf out of his idol’s book, using prophylaxis and not giving leeway for his opponents to penetrate into his position.

Prakash’s growing consistency and clarity has enabled him to knock off weak opponents ruthlessly which is the first step towards becoming a strong player.

Former World Champion Emmanuel Lasker, said: ‘‘Talent is using your knowledge to maximum effect’’ Prakash is a good example of that, putting his knowledge to optimum effect without unnecessarily bothering to learn every trick in the book. His frail figure masks his intense desire for improvement and mental toughness. His younger brother RB Ramesh overshot him while becoming IM. Now, Prakash has set the bar high for Ramesh to climb.

The Chennaiite owes it to Goodricke Chess which has given him three IM norms and two GM norms. ‘‘Goodricke has been orgainising tournament well, taking care of the players. I wish that Goodricke keeps conducting tournaments,’’ commented Prakash about Goodricke.

The Indian Bank Assistant Manager winds himself up, watching comedy serials in TV and reading books. ‘‘Talent is believing in oneself’’. Prakash has plenty of belief in himself. It will not be surprising if he keeps growing.