Humpy to concentrate more on men players

Bangalore, Jan 17 (UNI) World Junior Chess Champion Koneru Humpy wants to concentrate more on men players in the coming matches to become 'Super Grandmaster Champion'.

Humpy, who is 33 ELO points away from becoming 'Super Grandmaster Champion', told newspersons here that ''in my forthcoming matches, including Dubai open, I would like to concentrate more on playing against men.'' To a question, she said ''I have changed my game and I want to improve further before going in for the next game.'' Grandmaster Humpy is world number two in women's rankings with an ELO score of 2545. She became India's youngest woman chess player to receive the Men's Grandmaster title in 2002. At 15, Humpy became the world's youngest Women Grandmaster to achieve full GM status.

Humpy, who earlier launched Online 'Multiplayer Chess and Speed Chess' by Zapak Digital Entertainment Limited, said there were many gifted youngsters in chess, but only few get the golden opportunity of getting coached by the best in the game.

She said the multiplayer chess launched today would enable chess enthusiasts to play at various levels and with as many players as they want, helping them to hone their strategic skills.

Asian Junior Girls Champion Tania Sachdev, who was also present, said, ''chess is a game which has been played in India for centuries.

I feel this move of introducing online game would attract more children and youngsters to the game. I have played chess game online a few times now, I feel that the game play is brilliant. Moreover, the online game helps me to play with my coach, no matter which part of the world I am in.'' UNI MSP GD DH DB1832