Mumbai: The inaugural edition of the IIFL Wealth Grandmaster coaching camp is currently on at the Chess Center India (CCI), Nariman Point, Mumbai. Organised by the I2V Chess Academy, the camp will continue till November 28.
Budding chess wizards couldn’t have asked for a better platform to showcase their skills on. Renowned Israeli GM and coach, Alon Greenfeld is conducting the camp and sharing his expertise with young talents from the city. Alon is one of the top ten coaches in the world having trained none other than Israeli grandmaster Emil Sutovsky.
During his playing days, Alon’s highest rating in FIDE was 2610 and he has to his credit among others, the Israeli National Championship in 1984. India is not a new territory for Alon who visits the country quite frequently and even trains young Indian grandmasters like Vidit Gujrati and Adhiban Bhaskaran.
Emil is known for his aggressive style which has taken many of his opponents by surprise over the years. The GM’s match against Ilya Smirin in the Israeli Chess Championship in 2002 was voted the best game by Chess Informant. Trained by Alan, Emil born in 1977 is considered as one of the legends of the game and credit goes to his coach for tapping his skills and polishing them to perfection.
Speaking at the launch of the endeavour, FM Balaji Guttula, Co-founder, I2V Chess Academy emphasised the importance of grandmaster coaching camps in India that would help shape the mindsets of budding chess players. “Such camps will also groom them to bring laurels to our country,” he said.
India Infoline Wealth Management Limited (IIFWL) and South Mumbai Chess Academy (SMCA) are jointly sponsoring this camp. “This is just a beginning and we would be organising many more camps under the tutelage of reputed trainers across the world to elevate the strength of our players. We will also focus on other cities and towns as well,” said Balaji.