JOIN USKarnataka’s Girish Koushik, who won the silver medal at the World Youth chess championship, said on Sunday that the podium finish would give him the confidence for the bigger challenges ahead.
The 15-year-old Girish won eight, lost two and drew one in the 11-game tournament to finish second in the under-16 category at Maribor in Slovenia.
“It was tough to win a medal. This was my first medal at the World meet after 2006, so I am really happy with the silver. The medal helped me to gain lot of confidence,” pointed out Girish, who scored 8.5 points out of a possible 11 in the championship.
Russians Eliseev Urii (9 points) and Chigaev Maksim (8) claimed the gold and bronze respectively. The Mysore lad had clinched the title in the under-10 category in Batumi, Georgia, in 2006.
Girish, the 10th standard student of St Thomas High School, will be focusing more on his studies now before taking part in major tournaments.
“Right now, I am focusing on my studies as I am in 10th standard. But next year I will be competing in more meets. The Asian championship (age-group) next year will be my priority where I am planning to compete in the under-18 category,” said Girish.
Girish, however, laments lack of funding which has restrained him from taking part in more tournaments. “I am yet to get sponsors, so I could compete only in few tournaments,” revealed Girish.
Girish had won the under-16 title in the Asian Youth chess championship in Sri Lanka.