One of the gifted players on the Indian circuit, Chandra was expected to be the leader of a pack of young hopefuls that even had a certain Pankaj Advani in that list.

A demon potter, Chandra can decimate even the best in the business when on song. But then, those moments have been few and far between. A decade after he announced his arrival, Chandra is yet to translate that potential into titles. His rivals and connoisseurs alike still hold him in great esteem. They are almost in awe of the Delhi cueist when he is in flow.

Chandra's bane has been to maintain that flow. Impatient by nature, Chandra is known to get easily distracted and lose his focus on the job at hand. As a result, his consistency has taken a bit of a beating, while the titles have remained elusive. When he won his maiden National title in Chennai three years ago, most thought Chandra had turned the corner.

Sadly, the 26-year-old still fires only in fits and starts. In the Garden City to play the 9-ball pool selection tournament, Chandra — surprisingly, winner of five National titles in pool — spoke to Deccan Herald on a variety of topics. Excerpts:

Despite the talent, you have only one National title to show for in snooker. What has been your stumbling block?
I can't really pinpoint one reason for that, but I just try to play my game and enjoy the game. I agree that I should have probably won a couple of more National titles than what I have. But then, winning and losing is part of the game. Though I don't win the Nationals, I somehow manage to win the selection tournaments to be in the top two or three to make the National team. Yes, I'm not really satisfied with the way I have performed at the National championships. But I'm working on it and trying to play as well as I can, I practice and work hard.

Has that got to do with temperament, or the lack of it?
I wouldn't say that, because there were lots of instances when I have finished No 7 in the Nationals and in the selections, I know I have to win them to represent the country. And I've made the team on most occasions. That shows that I don't lag behind in that department.

Why not on the big stage then?
The Nationals is just one top tournament basically. You might have a good day or a bad day. This year also I played well. In the quarters, I eliminated Alok (Kumar), who I consider one of the toughest to beat. In the semifinals, I didn't play up to the mark and lost to Aditya (Mehta). I would put that to a bad day.

But then, converting the bad days into good ones is what sets the champions apart…
Definitely. I feel in the last four-five years I have been able to convert the bad days into good days, which shows in my consistency. Of course, in the Nationals I don't win every time, but in most of the invitational tournaments and most of the selection tournaments, probably my consistency record is better than others. I'm improving on that.

Game-wise do you think you need to improve anything?
Probably get a little more consistent. At times, I tend to get long, difficult pots, but miss easy ones. Safety play department, yes, I think I still need a lot of improvement. I'm working on it. I'm more of an aggressive player. There were times when I should have played a safety shot instead of going for broke. If I have a good day, that works to my advantage and if I have a bad day that works to my disadvantage. That's how it goes.

You have enjoyed more success in pool than snooker. Do you plan to play the Asian Tour (9-ball pool) on a regular basis?
If I qualify from the selection tournament, definitely I will. I enjoy pool also, but if you compare the two games, I love snooker more than pool. There is no doubt pool is the fastest growing sport all over the world. If it is not clashing with any snooker tournament, I'll definitely play pool. Snooker is without doubt my first love. It is quite ironical that I have been consistent in probably the most inconsistent game. Pool is so much dependent on luck. I'm quite happy that I've been dominating in that too.

What are your goals for 2008?
I want to play every tournament that I can and try and perform as well as I can. I have always said that world championship is my next goal, but that comes every year. The closest I have reached was No 3. Hopefully, I'll qualify for the Asian as well as the World and try and win an international title.
R Satya