Click to play videoNew Delhi: Chess is one sport India has always had much to be proud of and can boast of a world champion and plenty of Grandmasters.
At the Asian Youth Championships in Delhi, the next generation of chess players are already plotting their moves.
India's brightest young chess talent is at the Asian Youth Championships challenging players from 12 other countries. Though Vietnam and Iran are most favoured to challenge the Indians; the hosts enjoy a clear advantage.
"We have lot of champions, world champions from India. Last year I think India won both junior tiles for boys and girls," says Hisham Al-Taher, Asian Chess Federation General Secretary.
Vidit Gujarathi is the defending champion and is in the hot seat again. The national champion is vying for the Under-16 title and his inspiration is the great Gary Kasparov.
Just like his idol, Vidit wants nothing less than the title.
"This is quite tough because there are limited numbers of players. There are 200 players and all are rated above 2,100. This is quite tough tournament," says Vidit.
Tarini Goyal's coach has been strategising for her next round encounter. The girl from Chandigarh was just five when she first learnt to out play her opponents. Oodles of concentration from the eight-year-old may surprise many but not her coach.
"Best thing is she is very tough, she has a very strong temperament. Even if it is a four-hour game she is perfectly fine," says Tarini's coach Naveen Bansal.
"I like Vishwanathan Anad very much," is all Tarini says.
Vishwanathan is the inspiration but one day one among these youngsters may just emulate the multiple world champion.
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