By Paritosh Pramanik
RAUNAK Sadhwani was calmly sleeping in his hotel room in Isle of Man, near Manchester in United Kingdom, when his coronation as the new chess Grandmaster started making rounds in world chess circle.
At 5.30 am (UK time), Raunak’s mother Heena first got the news of her son being awarded the GM title. She was over the moon but at the same time did not want to disturb Raunak’s sleep.
“He (Raunak) is still unaware about the GM title...he is still sleeping and I don’t want to disturb him,” an elated Heena Sadhwani told ‘The Hitavada’ from UK.
Raunak, all of just 13 years achieved the required third GM norm after he played outstanding draws against world’s higher rated Grand Masters at the ongoing FIDE chess.com Grand Swiss 2019, thus becoming 9th youngest Grandmaster in the history of chess. Raunak, son of Bharat and Heena, is first from Nagpur and second from Vidarbha after Amravati’s Swapnil Dhopade, to claim the GM title, India’s 65th.
In Round One Raunak stunned Russian GM Sanan Sjugirov (elo 2662) to set the ball rolling. After that the Centre Point School, Katol Road, student played some favourable draws against big names in world chess. He split point with Russian GM Karjakin Sergey (elo 2760), Indian GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly (2658), Croatian GM Saric Ivan (2667), Ukrainian GM Eljanov Pavel (2663), Hungarian GM Peter Leko (2670), a two-time World Championship Candidate and Armenian GM Sargissian Gabriel (2690) to cross the live rating of 2500 points.
Raunak’s scintillating performance forced the world to sit up and take notice of his exquisite talent.
After the end of Round Eight, the 13-year-old has four points from one win and six draws and a loss. Raunak needed 3.5 rating points from nine rounds in the competition to claim the third norm and he achieved it with élan. As he has collected 3.5 rating points, Raunak now only needs to appear for the next one round to be officially crowned as Grandmaster, which is just a formality now.
Raunak, who got a wild card entry in this tournament as the best junior player from India, achieved his first GM norm at the Aeroflot Open 2019 followed by his second GM norm at the Porticcio Open 2019.
According to chessbase.in website, Raunak is known for his tactical acumen, but at the same time he has the ability to play extremely solid chess as he is showing at the Grand Swiss 2019.
Born on December 22, 2005, Raunak has achieved the feat of becoming a GM at the tender age of 13 years 9 months and 26 days.
Raunak’s phenomenal rise can be attributed to his training stint with former World Champion Vladmir Kramnik a couple of months ago. Along with seven others from India, Raunak was part of the Kramnik Microsense India Chess Program that was organised by ChessBase India. The coaching he received from the chess legend sharpened his game.
“A big thanks to World Champion GM Vladmir Kramnik sir, his teaching is simply superb who changed my game totally and made me psychologically strong as well. I also want to thank my coach GM Swapnil Dhopade for his strong belief in my playing strength,” Raunak said from UK.
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Raunak is playing like Anand: IM Deshmukh
n By Paritosh Pramanik
IT WAS way back in 2014 in Pune when Nagpur’s first chess International Master Anup Deshmukh had predicted that Raunak Sadhwani would become a Grandmaster. At that time, Indian Grandmaster Abhijeet Kunte had laughed off at Deshmukh’s prediction.
Sadhwani, who was barely nine years old then, had spark in his game which had attracted Deshmukh’s candid view at that time.
Today, Deshmukh’s prediction came true when Sadhwani became India’s 65th Grandmaster at FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss 2019 in Isle of Man, in United Kingdom.
“It’s a very proud news not only for Nagpur but for entire India. Getting GM title at the age of 13 is not an easy thing. Sadhwani is playing like Viswanathan Anand at the moment. He is holding world title holders and grandmasters which is very creditable,” said Deshmukh while talking with ‘The Hitavada.’
Deshmukh, who has coached Sadhwani in his formative days, recalled when Raunak would come up with excellent games.
“He was a quick and sharp learner. Since he was 5-6 years old, I am analysing his game. At that time only I was aware that Sadhwani would get the GM title,” Deshmukh, who has played for India on several occasions, said.
“Raunak’s is a steady progress. The way he is playing at present is much bigger achievement than the GM title.
“Holding higher rated players is no mean thing. And remember, they all are world and European champions. He is playing in elite circle.
“They way Raunak is playing reminds me of Anand’s early days. He too used to hold top rated players. Raunak is also doing the same thing,” added Deshmukh.
“I am sure he would cross the 2600 (elo rating) mark within no time now. He is a very gritty player. Never likes losing. These qualities will take him to the top of chess world,” Deshmukh said.
Deshmukh feels that Raunak should now go for more wins, than draws.
“Raunak has to take himself out of fear of losing. He generally plays safe and goes for draws. But now that GM title is won, he should play a bit more attacking game,” felt Deshmukh.
“I am sure he will win much more accolades in years to come,” Deshmukh concluded.
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Happy with GM title, but want to become world champion: Raunak
n Principal Correspondent
CHESS wizard Raunak Sadhwani, who became the 65th Grandmaster of India, was elated by achieving his “short term goal” but wants to put the champagne on ice for a few more days until the tournament, FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss 2019, finishes. He said his ultimate dream is to become a world champion. “Of course I am very happy to achieve my short term goal of becoming a GM but, still, my tournament is not over yet. I want to focus on my remaining four rounds and then will celebrate.”
Sadhwani said he is happy to fulfill his parents dream but wants to continue winning every tournament and becoming a world champion.
“I am happy for fulfilling my parents’ dream of becoming a GM. But my ultimate goal is to break my own records everyday and become a world champion,” a release from Raunak’s mother Heena stated.
Sadhwani took the opportunity to thank his parents, coaches and well wishers who worked hard for his success.
“I want to thank my parents who worked tirelessly for me. I am very fortunate to have such parents in my life. I have no words for the sacrifices they made for me. I want to thank my sponsors Lakshya Sports and Sony Production for their financial support.
“I also want to thank my School (Centre Point School, Katol Road) for always supporting me in each and every situation,” Sadhwani said. His parents—Bharat and Heena—are over the moon. They are happy that Nagpur now has its own GM. “We are very happy on our son’s greatest achievement. Now, Nagpur has got its own GM. His hard work is paying off. Hope he will continue his form and achieve bigger heights as sky is the only limit. Playing consistently against strong opposition is not an easy job but he is giving his best and we are super proud of him,” Raunak’s mother Heena said.
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