At a time when he is yet not eligible for a driving license, Arjuna Award at the age of 17 is just another distinction that has embellished Parimarjan Negi’s illustrious career.
Noida: He is humble, he is suave, he is focused and above all, he has the desire to win. Players like him come once in many years. His instinctive ability to grasp, act and deliver is what makes him such an outstanding player of 64 squares. Parimarjan Negi has the grace, style and confidence that will help him set landmarks, which will stand the test of time for over many years.
Parimarjan became chess Grand Master at the tender age of 13, the second youngest ever in the history of the game. He acquired the International Master title at the age of 12 and is the youngest Indian GM and IM.
Introduced to the game when he was just four, the Delhi chess player has to his credit several medals and titles in various prestigious international championships. And at a time when he is yet not eligible for a driving license, Arjuna Award at the age of 17 is just another distinction that has embellished his illustrious career.
“Arjuna Award is very special. Being felicitated by President Pratibha Patil is something that I will cherish throughout my life. The award is a big boost which will encourage me to achieve bigger goals,” said the champion at a felicitation ceremony hosted in his honour by Amity Group (Parimarjan is a student of Amity International School, Saket).
Showing his gratitude towards one and all, the poster boy of Indian chess said he owed his success to many, including his parents, teachers, friends, his coaches and his sponsors (TATA Group, Bharat Petroleum) who have supported him from his formative years.
“My teachers at school did everything in their capacity and helped me to cope up with the pressure of studies whenever I was in need. I am thankful to my principal and my teachers who arranged for extra classes for me prior to my exams and that helped me securing good marks in my Class X boards. I am also very thankful to my friends and well wishers who have rooted for me and celebrated my moments of success,” said Parimarjan, thanking his coaches who had honed his skills in all these years.
“In this special occasion, I will like to show my gratitude towards my coaches who developed my skills. They have guided me in shaping my style in this game of 64 squares and I do owe my success to them. The process of my learning continues and I hope to improve with each day,” said Parimarjan, stating that he had come a long way from a four-five year old who just wanted to solve the puzzle of chess to someone who has started deriving pleasure playing the game.
“When I started, I was just a game for me. I was into other sports like swimming, cricket and badminton as well. But slowly I started liking it for the reason that it gave me time to sit at home and play. Gradually, I started winning competitive tournaments. The aim to be on that top position, ignited my hunger to perform on the big stage. So from hobby, it became my passion,” said the soft-spoken youngster, stating that chess has taught him many things – the most important being the ability to make decision at a fast pace.
"Whoever invented chess, for me it's a fascinating battlefield of 64 squares. Some take it as an art, some take it as science. But for me it's a game which has taught me a lot. In a single game of chess we are supposed to make 20 or more decisions within no time. This in a way reflects in real life as well,” he said, adding that he wasn’t afraid of failures.
“Rather failures and disappointments have helped me in shaping my progress. I have learnt lessons from these failures. I am continuing to learn and fight my way ahead,” said Parimarjan, who is an avid reader and love to log in to his facebook account whenever free.
“I am flying to Holland tomorrow to play an open tournament. This year hasn’t been that good for so I’m looking ahead to some win,” concluded Parimarjan.
By Rakesh Jha
