‘Checkmate’, it’s all in the family!

Grandpa-grandson Thakurs, father-son Khherdekars make a mark at Raisoni chess

By Paritosh Pramanik

WE HAVE seen several fathers and sons playing in a competition either for the same team or as an opponent in several outdoor sports. Here, at the ongoing 1st GH Raisoni Rating Chess Tournament under way at Dr Ambedkar College of Management, Deekshabhoomi, a father and his son as well as a grandfather and his grandson are attracting people as they ‘hunt in pairs’ with their bold moves on 64 squares board.
Former national champion Sauravh Khherdekar, who is seeded fourth and is representing Railways in this rating chess tournament, is playing along with his 14-year-old son Arnav Kherdekar.
Similarly, Vijay Thakur, a 74-year-old veteran is father of renowned chess player of city Akash Thakur. Akash’s 8-year-old son Aarit is also participating in the tournament. A student of Modern School, Neeri, Aarit and his grandfather both have two points each from four rounds.
For fourth seed Khherdekar, he has recorded 4-out-of-4 wins and is running shoulder to shoulder with other leaders. His son Arnav had mustered three points from four games till Monday evening.
“It’s good to see your kid play along with you,” said Khherderkar senior.
“I won’t say he is a great player, but he is improving very fast. He regularly plays tournaments in Mumbai and is developing,” said Sauravh, who is working with Central Railways and shuttles between Mumbai and Nagpur.
Sauravh is born and brought up in Nagpur and has won several district as well as state level titles while in city. The family shifted to Mumbai after he got transferred. 
“I am at present giving online coaching to several foreign players. Most of them are from US,” revealed Sauravh. “At Mumbai too there are a few players whom I coach but mostly the coaching is online at present,” he added.
Eight-year-old Aarit Thakur was busy with his friends after his match when this scribe disturbed him. Very calmly he said, “I play with my father as well as my grandfather at my home. They both teach me the game of chess.”
When asked who wins between grandpa and him, Aarit hesitantly said, “Most of the times Grandpa wins, but at times I too beat him.”
Vijay Thakur, a couple of months back, had won the district Veterans’ title.
“He is a very senior and talented player. Akash has inherited those qualities from his father and now Aarit is doing so,” said Swapnil Bansod, Chief Arbiter of the tournament.
At present they are not yet paired but it would be interesting to see when they sit across the table and trade their moves to outwit each other.
These pairs are not making any major upsets but in coming years, the Khherdekars and the Thakurs would definitely made their families proud.