Interview with the World Junior Champion

Interview with the World Junior Champion Abhijeet Gupta
exclusive for Chessdom.com

Congratulations for the title! How does it feel to be the new World Junior Champion?

Thank you very much! It feels great to be a World Junior Champion and it was my first world medal so I feel even more proud.

The way to the top was not easy, after round 8 you had 5,0. Tell us about the magic of your last 5 consecutive wins?

At that time I was not even thinking of coming into the top 10. I just tried to remain focused to the end and it finally paid off.

What was the most difficult game of the competition?

I would say the loss against GM Safarli was quiet difficult psychologically. First I had clear advantage and then I misjudged one line and landed in a clear mess. It was little bit difficult to remain on track after such kind of loss but I tried to be disciplined and it worked.

And which game did you like the most?

The penultimate game against IM Braun was beautiful because I took the risk to play in a line where he had lost 2 days ago, but in the end it was me who was better prepared.

What was the key to victory? You talent, your coach, the rise of chess in India?

I would say it was a bit of everything. Chess in India is on a boom and our federation is doing is a great job for it. And of course my coach helped a great deal not only during this tournament, but in general as well… I would let other people judge my talent:)

Where is your next competition?

I wil be playing Common Wealth which is in Nagpur, India in September after that Hoogevens and then I have a close tournament in Portugal.

Thank you for the interview and one more time congratulations for the title!

Thank you!