PANJIM: Young Ritviz Parab has been a noted figure in the State stamping his authority on the 64-squares on the chess board. The young master with his impressive form has added a number of titles to his glittering stint in chess.
Now, the 15-year old is striving to make his name in the international scene and there is no better way to be recognized through the tri colours of the Indian flag.
Ritviz, student of Vidya Vikas Academy, Margao, played brilliantly at the 15th Bangkok Chess Club Open to register his first International Master norm and finish 31st in the star studded tournament, in Bangkok, recently.
A call up for the India team was much expected and so it came ahead of the under-16 chess Olympiads.
“I was thrilled on securing the IM norm, my joy had no bounds. I was very excited to compete against top players especially super GM SS Ganguly (2619) in the fourth round of the tournament. Also playing against each player on top boards was great fun,” said an ecstatic Ritviz after coming back to his hometown.
“It will be thrilling to represent the Indian team and I am very excited and have started to focus on my game,” added the teen sensation.
After winning the first round against Jumpathong Chayanon (1700) of Thailand, Ritviz defeated Ravi Teja (2405) of India in the second round playing the Grunfield variation on the black side.
In the third round, Ritviz beat IM Dr Beirkert Guenther (2428) of Germany using the grandpix side line.
In the fourth round, he drew with Indian National team player GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly (2619). The opening was the Ruy Lopez Chigorin main line and Ritviz played black.
In the fifth round, Ritviz beat well known GM Eugenio Torre (2460) of Phillipines in the Ruy Lopez open variation from the white side.
In the sixth round, Ritviz lost to GM Abhijit Kunte (2477) in a tough match. In the seventh round, he drew with FM Juhasz Kristof (2393) of Hungary and in the eighth round he lost to Severino Sander (2355) of Phillipines.
In the last round, Ritviz beat IM West Guy (2340) of Australia in the Scandavian opening in 19 moves.
Ritviz accumulated 117 ELO points and his rating will thus be 2305. He gave a rating performance of 2433 and an adjusted performance rating of 2471 and played against three GM’s and two IM’s to get his first IM norm. He has to get three IM norms and achieve a rating of 2400 in order to get his IM title.
“My aim is to become a Grand Master in the next two years and I will continue to improve my rating. In the meantime I will also concentrate on my studies,” expressed Ritviz, who is now in the 10th standard.
In May, the Goan will be competing in the KLT International GM tournament in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.
The president of Goa Chess Association Vinay Tendulkar; secretary Kishor Bandekar; vice-president and president of Salcete Taluka Chess Association (STCA) Ashesh Keni; secretary of STCA Damodar Zambaulikar and other members of Executive Committee of GCA and STCA lauded Ritviz for his performance.
Dilip Salgaocar, chairman and MD of Geno Pharmaceuticals and Sagar Salgaocar have also congratulated Ritviz, their new brand ambassador.
Shailaja Parab, mother of Ritviz thanked the chairman and management of Geno Pharmaceuticals for their full support.
Sanjay Kavlekar, SAG chess coach who coached Ritviz initially expressed happiness on his performace.
