Looking at Vladimir Kramnik and Boris Gelfand sitting next to each other on the inaugural day of the Microsense Kramnik Gelfand Training Program in Chennai, I couldn't really believe my eyes. There are times when you are planning the details along the way, and knowing how the entire story built up. Yet, when the final picture actual stands in front of you in full glory, you simply stare in awe as to how did everything really come together so beautifully!

Vladimir Kramnik and Boris Gelfand during the press conference on 7th of January, one day before the training camp was about to begin | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Having Kramnik and Gelfand in Chennai to train 14 young talents of Indian chess is in itself a big achievement. But things do not end there. If you look at the place in which the camp is being held, you realize that every minute detail related to the camp is taken care of.

That's the Coastal Paradise villas on the East Coast Road in Chennai | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Kramnik and Gelfand are staying a few kilometres away at the Taj Vivanta. They arrive at the venue of the camp. | Photo: Amruta Mokal

The man with a vision - a vision to change Indian chess - S. Kailasanathan greets Vladimir Kramnik | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Kramnik greeting one of the two girl participants of the camp - R. Vaishali | Photo: Amruta Mokal

The guest of honour for the day was India's first International Master Manuel Aaron | Photo: Amruta Mokal

It's very interesting to note that the last time (and also the first) that Kramnik visited India was back in 1994 to play the Semi-finals of his Candidates. And guess, who was his opponent? None other than Boris Gelfand! Kramnik and Gelfand played an 8-game match against each other in Sanghi Nagar, Hyderabad. After seven games the scores were tied at 3.5-3.5. In the final decisive game of the match Kramnik had the black pieces and reached the following position:

 

Gelfand vs Kramnik, 1994

White has just played his bishop to g2 and Black must do something with his d5 knight. The most common responses are to play Nc7 or take on c3. Kramnik asked himself, what exactly is wrong with ...e6. He didn't see anything wrong and played it. Gelfand was quick to spot the loop hole. He took on d5 with his knight and after Nxd5 exd5 Qb3! there was absolutely no way to defend the d5 or the b7 pawn.

Black loses a pawn without any real compensation and Gelfand managed to convert this into a win quite easily.

Every once in a while we have such games where we simply lose it out of the opening. Almost all your work on the middlegame and endgame is rendered useless when you are worse out of the opening against a strong opponent. The first camp in Chens Sur Leman revolved around the middlegame and endgame. Kramnik then followed the games of the youngsters closely for a few months and realized that it was important to speak about the openings to them. Not just show them lines and variations but to explain the entire concept to them related to opening preparation and how to build up a successful long term repertoire. Gelfand, who is the other trainer, is also a very deep thinker of the game. Over the years Boris has come up with opening ideas and concept which show what a class act he is. The 14 youngsters getting to learn from such experienced and qualified players is something that they will cherish for years to come.

Kramnik and Gelfand explain the main aim of the training camp

This time not only Praggnanandhaa but also Vaishali will be a part of the camp. Parents Nagalakshmi and Rameshbabu were present at the venue for the press conference | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Gukesh with his parents Rajinikanth and Padma Kumari | Photo: Amruta Mokal

One of the strongest chess couples of India - GM Vishnu Prasanna (2474) and WIM Raghavi N. (2162). Vishnu is also the permanent trainer of D. Gukesh | Photo: Amruta Mokal

When old friends meet - GM Ramesh, Arvind Aaron and Shantharam KV  | Photo: Amruta Mokal

The father son duo who have been serving Indian chess for many years now. Kameswaran (right) is the first International arbiter of India, while Visweswaran (left) is a world class trainer | Photo: Amruta Mokal

The secret joke between Ramesh and Pragg! It has to be mentioned that four of the students attending the camp are current students of GM R.B. Ramesh - Pragg, Vaishali, Rakshitta and Bharath | Photo: Amruta Mokal

As is common in India, all new endeavours begin with the lighting of the auspicious lamp! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Kramnik was quite proud of the fact that he was able to light the lamp in one go | Photo: Amruta Mokal

It was very nice to see him helping Manuel Aaron to light the lamp | Photo: Amruta Mokal

S. Kailasanathan, the MD of Microsense. Look how Vladimir is carefully making sure everything is fine! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

S. Kailasanathan with three young talents Pragg Vaishali and Bharath | Photo: Amruta Mokal

The most impressive thing about Kailasanathan is his attention to detail. He is the MD of a big company, yet he finds time to ask all the kids if they had food or if their room was comfortable for them. When I asked him as to how does he manage his time, he said, "The busy man always finds time and gets things done."

This attitude of perfection has trickled down to all the people of Microsense working on the project - Bhagawathi (front left), and Sujit Singh (front right) getting the food details in order. | Photo: Amruta Mokal

1.e4! Subramaniam, brother of S. Kailasanathan makes the first move signalling that the camp is open!  | Photo: Amruta Mokal

The opening ceremony was attended by not just the participants but also some of the big names of Chennai like B. Adhiban, Sethuraman S.P. Karthikeyan Murali, Aravindh Chithambaram etc. | Photo: Amruta Mokal

The setting of the press conference with quite a few journalists attending | Photo: Amruta Mokal

This was a unique opportunity for all the journalists to get two of the biggest names in the chess world in one frame! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

A lot of people brought different things for Boris and Vladimir to sign. Raghavi gets her autograph on Boris' book - the positional decision making in chess! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

A mini chess board! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Some people even brought photographs to sign! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Now that's a creative way to take home autographs! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

After the press conference ended, the kids enjoyed a small session of football! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Dal, curd, mixed vegetable, palak paneer, rice and chapati - simple yet delicious food was on the menu | Photo: Amruta Mokal
It is of course impossible not to end the day without opening the chess board!

The final briefing for the day! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

My message to all of them - "You have to shoot for the stars!" | Photo: Amruta Mokal

There are two groups that have been created:

Group A - Sreeshwan Maralakshikari, Aditya Mittal, Arjun Kalyan, Raahil Mullick, Sreeshwan Maralakshikari, R.Vaishali and Rakshitta Ravi

Group B - Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, Raunak Sadhwani, P. Iniyan, Prithu Gupta and Leon Mendonca

 

On a daily basis there will be two training sessions 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Each trainer would be spending equal time with both the groups over a period of two days. The entire camp will revolve around the first phase of the game and we at ChessBase India will keep you in touch with the happenings. Stay tuned.