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 With
her simple girl next door looks, 14-year-old Chennai girl N Raghavi (DOB 28 01 1989)
came from nowhere to take the National Junior Champion at Vijayawada
recently. Finishing ahead of current Asian Junior Champion Prathiba
and WIM Eesha Karavade, Raghavi surprised herself and everyone with
her determined show. "I decided quite late and literally jumped
into the last train, but now, I am very happy that I played,"
said a jubilant Raghavi.
A
product of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan School, Chennai, Raghavi has had
her ups and downs, until she hit her third national title in
Vijayawada. "I thought I'd qualify only, maybe reach top four, five.
But now, I feel great. It's just totally unexpected. I dedicate my
National Junior title to my School." Since
her last National title triumph (Under 13 at Calcutta) Raghavi has
been working hard with her coach D Ganesh, on all aspects of the game,
especially attack and combinations. "We went through Shirov's
book Fire on Board and I am becoming a fan of Shirov." Seven
wins, a draw and a loss sum up the champ's march to the title.
Recounting her tense final round moments, Raghavi quipped, "I
played the last round against Chandra Hawsa, while Eesha was playing Prathiba,
in another crucial game. Chandra Hawsa played Caro Kann g6 line,
wherein I made a pawn storm and won easily. I was watching
Eesha-Prathiba game with an excited mind. Their game was drawn and I
won my third National title." Recounting
her fine run, "I was seeded 24th and was under no pressure. I
defeated Saheli Nath, Kruttika Nadig, Devangi Patankar, Anuprita Patil, Chandra Hawsa, Ramya
and Eesha Karavade. Everything worked for me very well." About
her sole defeat and draw, "I had an isolated pawn, and Priya exploited
it well. In my drawn game with Nabila, I pushed "e5" which looked
unnecessary. But I gave the exchange, and had I given the second exchange
I might have won."  Winning
titles in North (Under 12 Rapid Chandigarh 2001), East (Under 14 Calcutta 2002)
and now South (Under 19 (Junior) Vijayawada 2003), the precocious
young talent is making quiet strides and now proceeds West for her
next event in Greece.
Attending
the training camp in Calicut, with Grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov of
Russia, has helped her fine tune a few chinks in her armour. "GM Scherbakov coaching
was very good, as he focused on endings, studies, and some openings.
It came at the right time and helped me greatly in Vijayawada." Already
a celebrity in Chennai, Ravhavi was invited as a Chief Guest for Amirtha Utsav children festival culturals
called Amirthavarsham 50 celebrating the fiftieth
birthday of Mata Amritanandamayi. Also, she received Parle Biscuits & Confectionaries
"Centre of excellence" award recently. The
National Junior title opens up more avenues - qualification for the
Asian and World events - which in turn should offer her Norm chances.
With her Board exams on the anvil, the forthcoming visit to Greece for
the World Youth Championships, would be her last for this year.
"I have to focus on my exams, but would resume from March
onwards."
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