Calculated moves
February 2, 2011
RAAKESH NATRAJ
Even though Michelle began playing chess a little late it has’nt taken her long to mark her presence.
Michelle Catherina, 14, achieved her first WIM norm after stringing together a sparkling run in the early stages of the India Cements Chennai International Open chess tournament held in the city this week. The Std IX student at Good Shepherd Convent MHSS held her own against several higher-ranked players, including a stunning 29-move win over GM Arun Prasad in round five of the tournament. (Interestingly, she rates her second-round win over Chanchal Kumar Gosh better.)
Doing well
Catherina’s show here has a performance rating of over 2350, which would give her current rating (1959) a positive shove. But her rating, she says ‘hardly matters’. “I think I must have gained around 50 points. I just wanted to do well and by God’s grace the ratings have been good,” she says.
Having acquired the WIM norm after a draw in round eight, Catherina had a chance to go one better and secure her maiden IM norm with a positive result in the next round, but could not manage it. She put the disappointment behind her to register a win in the next round, against another higher ranked opponent.
Juggling the pressures of academics (with her board exams just a year away) and an active chess career is something only few can manage. Catherina, on the other hand, seems to be enjoying the added set of responsibilities. “It’s a little interesting to do both. I just want to continue playing chess as long as I am playing well,” she says.
Many accolades
Having started playing chess only at age nine, it was Catherina’s mother who encouraged her to pursue the sport more seriously.
Though a late start can be a bit of a disadvantage, Catherina has made huge strides since her early days, bagging a silver medal at the National under-11 championships and a bronze medal in the under-14 Commonwealth championships. She has also won several titles at the state-level. The 14-year- old currently trains at the Chess Gurukul academy, T. Nagar, under GM R.B. Ramesh.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com
Congratulations!