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  Satyapragyan adopts an European opening
21 Jun 2008
 

Highest-ranked chess player of Orissa, Swayangshu Satyapragyan is all set to embark on a 50-day tour to Europe with a mission to improve upon his present elo rating of 2410 and obtain the much awaited second Grandmaster norm. I will play five international tournaments — three in France and two in Greece — from June 28 to August 8. I may play another tournament from August 10 to 20,```` Satyapragyan said about his tour schedule. The first home-grown International Master of the State, Satyapragyan felt confident about putting up a creditable performance in the ensuing events. Unlike previous campaigns abroad, I am very much confident and serious this time. I look forward to win a title or two and attain my second GM norm in two years,```` he admitted. Satyapragyan disclosed that he had not done any special preparation for the crucial tour. ````My preparation mostly revolved around getting the visa, air tickets and sponsorship,```` he quipped, but hoped his experience and determination would stand him good stead. Experience has taught me to be patient to overcome crisis. I have started handling psychological pressure. I have also improved my game a lot by ironing out errors and weaknesses, he claimed.

 

Earlier, my performance was proving to be inconsistent. Though starting well, beating higher rated opponents, I was wasting the advantage by losing to lower ranked competitors, mostly during middle part of a tournament. In the process, I was missing titles narrowly, he explained. But the state chess star maintained that his new approach and planning had started paying dividends. ````In my last five tournaments, I finished joint third in two (at Delhi and Mumbai) and missed another third-place finish at the Hastings Open in London. Most important was that my performance in these tournaments turned out to be consistent,```` elaborated Satyapragyan, who is serving here as an Air India traffic superintendent. Europe tour would cost Satyapragyan around Rs 1 lakh, excluding most of the air fare. His company has provided the tickets from Mumbai to Paris and Athens. Despite labourious efforts, the former Asia junior runner-up Satyapragyan could not muster required sponsorship for the tour, starting on June 24. ````Except Real Estate Developers Association (REDA), no company or organisation responded to my request,```` he lamented.

  Tour schedule: June 28-July 4: International Open at Chamelieres, France July 5-13: Montepellier Open at Montepellier, France July 15-20: International Open at Bagneus, Paris July 21-28: Paleohora Open at Chania, Greece July 30 to Aug 8: Kabala Open at Kawala, Greece August 10-20: Acropolis Open at Athens (Likely)
   

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