Vaibhav Suri, another teen following in Anand`s footsteps

New Delhi: Viswanathan Anand has inspired many a chess dreams across the country and 13-year-old Vaibhav

Suri, one of them, is in tremendous hurry to get his Grandmaster norm and follow in his idol`s footsteps. The Delhi boy has already earned one of the three Grandmaster norms needed to become a GM and he wants to clinch the remaining two in super quick time. "I just want to be like him (Viswanathan Anand) and would like to meet him," Vaibhav told reporters. "Right now, I am preparing for my second and third GM norms and complete the requirements of the title by getting 2500 plus ELO rating points," added the eighth grader, who practises four-and-half hours every day on his computer. The youngster is not just hooked to chess but is also fond of football, Argentine sensation Lionel Messi being his favourite. The Modern School student has been playing chess since the age of three and was declared the best player in an Under-10 FIDE rated tournament held in July 2006. Later, he won a gold medal in the Under-nine category at the Singapore Asian School Games held in December the same year, his mother Vandana said. Vaibhav attained his first GM norm last month in Orissa when he defeated Bangladeshi Grandmaster Enamul Hossain. Apart from Anand, Vaibhav also idolises Norwegian chess wizard Magnus Carlsen, who is currently the world number one. "His coaches are very optimistic about his future and they feel it is his hard work which is paying off," added Vandana. Vaibhav conceded that the rigorous practice affect his studies but he tries to catch up in the free time. "It does interfere with his studies in some way, but we try to catch up during summer vacations. Also, school supports us in a great way," says Vandana. Vaibhav is now looking forward to participate in the U-13 nationals scheduled from June 26 to July 5. PTI