Kolkata, June 18: Personal tragedy and an eye infection notwithstanding, India's latest grand master Surya Sekhar Ganguly is hoping for a gold medal from the world chess championship (under-20) to commence in Azerbaijan on June 21.
Ganguly, who won a bronze in the previous edition of the championship at Goa last December, however, admits the going would be tough. "The players who take part in tournaments at such levels are generally very energetic. They have very good reflex and stamina", he said.
Ganguly would be leaving for Delhi tomorrow, and take a flight for Azerbaijan on friday. The championship would be inaugurated on saturday, while the opening round would be played on June 22.
But the promising youngster was still in the dark about his probable rivals. "I don't know who will be my competitors. I'll know the names when I reach Azerbaijan".

Having become the eighth grand master of the country with a draw against Josef Dorfman in the chess Olympiad at Bled, Slovenia, last November, Ganguly has been training hard to improve his showing in the coming tournament.

"I regularly practice with Sandipan Chanda", the youngster said.

Bureau Report