Kolkata: Having slipped from once being a leader in chess in the country, Bengal is now targeting to have 20 GMs by 2020, in a joint programme between the state government and Alkehine Chess Club.
It was only a decade ago that three out of six GMs in the country were from the state. The ratio, however, terribly skewed recently as the state now have six with the total number of GMs in the country risen to 30.
Bengal's second GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly will lead a team that will specially train a group of 16 budding chess players in the age group of six to 13 with 'Target 2020' in mind.
Not only skilled chess players, even the trainees will be groomed by Dronacharya awardee athletics coach Kuntal Roy and sports psychologist Mrinal Chakraborty.
"Physical and mental fitness are two vital aspects for a chess player. For training purpose the Yuba Bharati Krirangan will be used," sports minister Madan Mitra, who is also the president of the Alkehine Chess Club, said.
The Club has identified 14 trainees including the talented IM duo of Diptayan Ghosh and Sayantan Das. Sixteen-year-old Diptyan has already earned his maiden GM norm in Dubai Open last year.
Alekhine Club secretary Soumen Majumder said, "Initially we have set a target of 20 GMs but we will look to go past it." Hailing the move, WGM Mary Ann Gomes said: "Earlier we were approaching with our individual goal. But now with a whole team behind you, it will be a lot more easier."
The team of coaches will also include Bangladeshi GM Ziaur Rahman, GM Neelotpal Das and Durga Prasad Mahapatra from Odisha.
