CHENNAI: Age is just a number. The adage perfectly sums up the exploits of eight-year-old Bharath Subramaniyam. The youngster from the city has been one of the shining lights in the game of chess. The third standard student of PSBB, KK Nagar had won gold at the FIDE World Youth & Cadets Chess Championship in the open under-eight category held in Greece last year as well as claiming top honours at the Asian Youth Chess Championship in Suwon, Korea.
“Bharath is one of the most promising youngsters. I usually don’t train people below 1600 ELO rating. But Bharath grabbed my tips at the very first attempt when he was just six years. I knew back then that he was someone special,” coach RB Ramesh told Express.
The Candidate Master is currently the youngest participant in the 8th Chennai Open International Grandmaster chess tournament. Love for the sport runs in the family. His elder brother Bala Subramaniyam is no push-over either. He is the U-11 state champion. Both brothers train at Chess Gurukul, run by RB Ramesh. And it was their father Hari Shankar, who introduced them to 64 squares. The software engineer, had represented Tamil Nadu at the Nationals in 1994. After deciding to pursue some other avenue in life, he tried to inculcate the love for the game in his two children. As luck would have it, both brothers were instantly hooked.
“I used to play the sport and once my sons were born, I thought they might be interested. Thankfully, they picked it up and now that is all they think about,” said Hari. The duo share a common passion for cricket and that is what they play in their free time. Regarding the balance between sports and academics, Hari said, “Their school is very supportive and till now there has been no complaints. I have told them to follow their heart. I try and motivate them whenever possible.”
Travelling throughout India and playing in meets abroad needs money. But that is the only way to face top level opponents. “I generally accompany them whenever possible. The last Greece tournament cost me `5 lakh. The State Association helped us on the way but I am searching for sponsors,” revealed Hari. Ramesh also tries to do his bit. Whenever one of his wards need financial backing, he posts on Facebook and Twitter and his friends and followers come up with the money.
The coach sees the prodigy becoming the youngest GM in the world. “He has the talent and is hard-working. He just needs to sustain his level of interest and continue playing and moving forward.” Next up is the Cannes Chess Championship in France. And both brothers are ready for the challenge.