IVANA, medals galore and still counting

Herald: Congratulations Ivana. You have won the gold at the continental stage for the second time. What are your thoughts?

Ivana Maria Furtado: Now, my target is the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title. This championship was a step closer to that. After my 2018 Board Exams, I will be focussing on WGM title. As per the three-rule norms, I just require to touch the rating that is more 150 points. Then my target will be International Master. Every tournament is a beginning for me and this medal is just another feather in my cap. My main goal is to become WGM and then IM. My preparation was not up to the mark this time while most of the players were well prepared with their trainers and coaches. I tried something different and used some techniques of my own to succeed. 

H: How do you gain ratings?

IF: For the rating points, one needs to play open tournaments, which I will be playing after my Board Exams. It can be any tournament, a National or an International rated. The points’ level for any tournament is the same and I have enough chances to score it. 

My rating is 2146 and if there is cut off of 2000, I will be playing tough players having ratings of 2400 and above. So if I win or draw my ratings will go higher. But if I draw or lose with a lower rating player then my rating will go down. The stronger the tournament, the better it is for garnering points.

H: Whom do you credit your performance and why?

IF: My parents, the Almighty, All Indian Chess Federation, Goa Chess Association, Goa government and specially my school for allowing me to skip my classes when I am on tour for the National and International tournaments.

H: Do you get support from the government?

IF: For the Asian Junior tournament I was representing India and all my expenses, including accommodation and visa, was taken care of by Sports Authority of India and the All Indian Chess Federation. For coaching and any other expenses related to the game, I get the support of Goa government.

H: When did you learn chess?

IF: I started playing chess at the age of five and my source of inspiration was my brother Keegan. He used to play chess and so also I inculcated the habit and developed the interest for playing. He thought me many excellent moves, which helped me on many occasions to checkmate my opponents. 

H: Who was your greatest inspiration (role model) as a youngster?

IF: Games and personality are two different concepts altogether. Personality wise, I like former World Champion Vishwanathan Anand, as he is very simple and never arrogant. Games wise, I prefer Garry Kasparov, Carlsen Kasparov and Karl Robatsch. My style of play has nothing to do with these great players but I like to watch their games.

H: Which tournament was the turning point in your career?

IF: My turning point was when I won a medal at the Asian Youth Chess Championship at New Delhi in 2005 in the Under-8 category. It was my first medal (bronze) for which I was awarded a laptop. I got inspired and I thought I could do more in the sport. 

H: How do you select a tournament? 

IF: Normally, I play in the same tournaments that I have played in the previous years. For example, if I have played Mumbai Open in 2015, I would participate in the same in 2016. And if I win a medal then I play as a seeded player the following year. The Asian Junior has been a stepping stone for me as I have been selected as a seeded player by virtue of being a medallist since 2013 till 2016. If I win a medal at the Nationals, I automatically get selected for Asian or World Championship. 

H: How do you prepare for a game, any outside help?

IF: The game is divided into three parts, namely opening, middle and end. I study my opponents as the game begins. I look out at their strengths and weaknesses and accordingly make my moves. Say, if they are weak at the end game, I exchange the pieces and plan my moves accordingly. 

H: What are your plans for the current year?

IF: I have plans but not for this year, as I have to prepare for my Board Exams. I may play some tournaments, but my focus will be more on studies.

H: Do you get dejected when you lose and have you ever felt like giving up chess?

IF: When you lose you do get upset. If you have worked hard and don’t get success or when you are just there and you lose, you get discouraged, but it is all part and parcel of the game. You just cannot leave the sport. Once, when I lost two games in a row during a championship in Hyderabad, a grandmaster with the US flag came up to me and advised “You have lost the game but you have not quit. Chess players are not quitters, they are fighters.”

H: How does the future of Indian chess look like to you?

IF: In terms of women chess, the progress is very slow. There should be more number of good coaches to teach the players. In Asia, the women chess is progressing but not as compared to other countries. My colleagues from Russia, US, etc, who are playing along with me are already International Masters, Women Grand Masters and are even holding Grand Master norms. In the men’s section, we are getting new players and Grandmasters at an early age.

H: What do you feel should be done to increase the number of chess players in India?

IF: The federation should organise lot of camps for the players. It has to be done with a different professionalism. We have to learn a lot from rest of the world.

H: Any words of encouragement for the youngsters, who plan to pursue their career in chess?

IF: Enjoy the sport and be focussed with what you are doing. You work hard and you will reach the level that you want to.

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