Anand and other GMs stand by Gopal

Anand, Barua, Thipsay stand by Gopal
Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Facing censure from the All India Chess Federation, young Grandmaster G.N. Gopal has received strong support from none other than World champion Viswanathan Anand.

Describing the proposed decision of the AICF Central Council to prevent Gopal from taking part in any official championship for one year as “much too harsh,” Anand said: “at any rate, this will hurt a young and extremely promising player in a crucial year for him.”

The AICF decision followed Gopal’s non-participation in the National championship in December in order to honour the commitment made to the organisers of the Carlos Tore Memorial tournament in Merida, Mexico.

Anand said: “I feel this is very harsh for something that doesn’t really hurt the sport. Ban should be for that. Skipping the Nationals isn’t usually met with a ban. If a player gets an attractive opportunity to play abroad, I guess the federation can be flexible. At his age, a year is pretty crucial.”

When asked for a possible solution, Anand said during an internet chat: “this time, I would suggest they let him off with a warning. I hope they feel they made their point and drop it now because it will really hurt his career. Chess players are really concerned and there is lot sympathy for him.”

Should be optional

Anand was also not in favour of the AICF making it mandatory for the players to participate in the National championship.

“In fact, in most countries, it is optional. As long as the people are allowed not to play if they don’t want to, it’s fine by me. Changing the criteria for playing in National ‘A’ is okay but if they (the players) don’t want to play, that should be their choice. Surely it is in the interest of the players to play the Nationals, why force them?”

Fellow Grandmasters Dibyendu Barua and Pravin Thipsay also joined Anand in standing by Gopal.

Barua, the country’s second GM, made a point by saying, “if our players are stopped from honouring their commitments to overseas organisers, it will seriously curtail the invitations that come to the Indian players.

“In Europe, organisers are very particular about the players keeping their word. It can have a cascading effect on all Indian players.”

The Kolkata GM said he was all for discipline among the players and said: “the players are duty bound to inform the AICF about their availability for the National championship. Since it is usually held in December, players can chalk out their schedule accordingly and be available for the National meet.”

Thipsay opposed the decision on Gopal and said, “Considering his age, he should have been counselled and not punished.”

The country’s oldest GM went further and said, “One feels, under the circumstances, only one case is being taken up by AICF. Even those who did not play in the National ‘B’ or those who did not participate for the country in the team events, all should be treated as matters of indiscipline.

And if any explanation is to be sought from the players, even these players could be asked to explain their non-participation.”

Appeal

Meanwhile, the Chess Players’ Association of India (CPAI) has sent an appeal to the AICF President N. Srinivasan to allow Gopal to take part in the Asian championship, where is he seeded, and the World junior championship.

The two-page letter is signed by five GMs, including National champion Surya Shekhar Ganguly, Abhijit Kunte, Sandipan Chanda and Neelotpal Das, besides several International Masters. It remains to be seen whether Anand’s suggestion and CPAI’s fresh plea make AICF review its decision.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/