Former world chess champion grandmaster (GM) Vladimir Borisovih Kramnik will coach six young Indian chess players in Switzerland from August 14 to 25, said an organiser of the camp. The six players, include GMs — D.Gukesh, R.Praggnanandhaa, P.Iniyan and Arjun Erigasi and International Masters — Raunak Sadhwani and Leon Mendonca.
“The players for the camp were selected based on theirage (12-16) and also their Elo rating so that there is no mismatch,” saidS. Kailasanathan, Managing Director, Microsense Group that is sponsoring thecoaching camp.
Interestingly, Kailasanathan was the Tamil Nadu chesschampion in 1972 and has also played for West Bengal and Delhi during hisyounger days. Class 12th student P.Iniyan, who will be attending the camp,said: “I am feeling very thrilled. Perhaps this is the first time a formerWorld Chess Champion is coaching Indian players.” “The idea of training the young talentedIndian kids came during a conversation with Frederic Friedel, my good friendfrom ChessBase,” said Kramnik.”I am now retired from chess and don’t playcompetitively anymore. But it means a lot to me if I can share my knowledgewith the most promising juniors who can achieve something big in thefuture,” the former World Champion said.