When Akash P.C. Iyer’s mother, Chitra R. Prakash, encouraged him to take up chess in 2004, she was making the right move.
A Class XII student of Modern Senior Secondary School, Nanganallur, the youngster made the country proud by winning the gold medal in the under-18 category at the Commonwealth Chess Championship, held at Glasgow, Scotland, recently.
Akash, a resident of Pallikaranai, has been trained by Sa. Krishna of Dakshin Chess Academy from 2004. “My parents, Chitra R. Prakash and R. Prakash, and my coach are my greatest source of support. The game helps develop memory and concentration power. It makes me better at academics. I would also like to thank my friends, classmates, teachers and my school principal, Dr. K. Mohana, for their support and encouragement,” he said. He has also won many titles at the State, national and international levels in age-categories. Today, he is ranked No. 2255 and has an international master norm.
“I won against GM Drazic Sinsia of Serbia, ranked No. 2,469, during the ninth round of the Second International Grandmaster Chess Tournament organised by Cyber Chess Academy, Hyderabad, during November-December 2013, securing my maiden IM norm. Three norms are required for an international master title,” he pointed out.
The student was invited to take part in the Celebration of Excellence for Sports Persons-School Students, New Delhi, by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). “I won the gold medal in the CBSE National Individual Chess Championship, Varanasi, in 2013. I was presented with a certificate and gold medal by Union Minister of Human Resource Development Smirti Zubin Irani (Celebration of Excellence for Sports Persons-School Students). I also took part in the 68th Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, New Delhi,” he added.
“I draw my source of inspiration from Indian Chess Grand Master Vishwanathan Anand. I want to compete with Vishy and Magnus Carlsen and be an attacking player like Anand.”
“It is a game for people of all ages. You can learn to play chess at any age and unlike other sports, you don’t ever have to retire,” he says. He appreciates the steps taken by the State and Central Governments to promote the game.
Akash can be contacted at 9840860644, 9840890977 and 9600088134.
