PANAJI
The recently IM-titled Nitish Belurkar is working hard on his goal of becoming a chess Grand Master.
Nitish achieved the IM title in First Saturday GM Round Robin Chess tournament in Budapest, Hungary when he touched an ELO rating of 2400.
"I prepared a lot during the lockdown and worked on areas I felt I had to improve a lot. I was well prepared after such a long break from chess and all I had to do was execute my plans. I went there with a high level of belief in my abilities," Nitish told The Goan on Wednesday.
The youngster now needs two GM norms and ELO rating of 2500 to achieve the GM title. At present, he has an ELO rating of 2447.
In Budapest, Nitish achieved 4 IM norms, one more than the required three IM norms. In the next tournament, the Vezerkepzo GM round robin Chess tournament, the Goan was in top form, remaining unbeaten to clinch the 1st place and also achieve the first GM norm.
"I didn't doubt myself at any point of the trip, I was always ready to strike and unlocked my potential at which I believed I could play at. This helped me get to my IM title with comfort and then I was ready for more," the Geno Pharmaceuticals brand ambassador said.
"The very next tournament after I got my IM title I achieved my GM norm. I was very happy with my games in that tournament. The feeling was great when I got my 1st GM norm and was even happier with my games, and am looking to continue with the momentum."
The up-and-coming chess player was the cynosure of all eyes when he reached the Goan shores at the weekend after his exploits in Budapest. Nitish's parents, Dr Roopa and Sanjay Belurkar, and Goa Chess Association treasurer Kishor Bandekar, were among those who welcomed the player on his arrival at the Dabolim airport.
