I’m relaxed and enjoying the success: Harika

Hyderabad: After a historic silver medal, a first-ever podium finish, in the Women’s World Chess Championship in Sitges, Spain, Dronavalli Harika slipped into Hyderabad three days ago without any fanfare which is usually associated with any World or Asian winner. The 30-year-old Grandmaster was nevertheless very happy with her mighty show in Sitges where she also won an individual silver medal apart from the team silver medal.

India lost to Russia in the final. “I’m very happy. This is something which I have been dreaming about for a long time. I’m very satisfied to achieve and come back with a World medal. I’m relaxed right now and enjoying the success,’’ said Harika, while talking to Telangana Today

On hard work and emotional moments

When I was a child, I always wanted to be on the podium. My first team championship was in 2004 and I was 13 years old then. The women’s team was never on the podium.

We did win medals in Asian tournaments but not in World Championships or Olympiad meets. I was always disappointed. At times, we used to come close to a podium finish but could never achieve it. The women’s World championship started way back in 2009. We finally broke the jinx in this championship. In team events I always wanted to win medals for the country. It never happened but in Spain we were back with a medal.

On any pressure to perform

There was no pressure to perform as such. I’m an experienced player and have been playing at the highest level for a long time. I know how to handle the pressure. But we were all eager to play on board in this World Championship as because of Covid-19 pandemic we could not play on board tournaments for two years. So we enjoyed playing in this tournament.

On Koneru Humpy’s absence

We were all upset because Humpy could not play for unforeseen reasons. The rating of the team in the tournament changed in her absence. We initially thought we would play with a full team and because of the last-minute withdrawal we had to change our strategies. With a mindset of `we will try our best’, we went into the tournament with a positive set of mind and we performed exceedingly well.

On the lower board performance

Of course, it was one of the all-round efforts, including the coaches. The players put in hard work to achieve this silver medal. Since we were all playing on board chess after a long time, we were all focused on the game. Vaishali, a first timer in the team championship, and we shared our experiences. There was a lot of bonhomie and positivity in the team. My experience, too, helped.

On obsession to recognise Olympic medal achievers in the country

Yes since it is not an Olympic sport, World chess is not recognized as it is supposed to be. But we have 149 countries playing this sport and have the biggest championship in Worlds and our own Olympiads. But as the Olympics are held once every four years, there is more focus on those achievers. I’m cool to this fact but at same time any world tournament winner with importance should be given the due recognition.

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