KOLKATA: City boy Aronyak Ghosh is having a good run at the international arena. On his maiden visit to Europe, the International Master claimed the Obert Internacional meet title in Barcelona this week. Ghosh finished on top with seven points remaining unbeaten in this nine-round tournament, winning five and drawing four games.
The youngster warmed up for this title in style, finishing fourth and third in the two previous tournaments that he took part in Europe after deciding to step out of the country seeking Grandmaster norms. Ghosh had already crossed the magic 2500 Elo rating points needed to become a GM by winning the Athens of East International GM meet in Madurai last month.
"It has been a satisfying experience so far," Ghosh told TOI from Barcelona on Saturday. "Although I have not been able to attain any GM norms till now, maintaining my rating is also important and I am happy to be able to do that so far," he added.
Ghosh, who left the country with 2502 rating points, now has 2520 live rating points. "The tournament in Andorra was the toughest so far where I faced players from France, Slovakia and Israel apart from Spain. I played two GMs there and drew both the games," he stated.
Ghosh also finished unbeaten in the tournament, but just missed out on a podium finish ending fourth. The tournament was won by Indian GM P Iniyan.
The 18-year-old came third in the Sant Mari meet in Barcelona before this where he crossed swords with three GMs, drawing all those.
Staying at a rented apartment in Barcelona with his mother, Ghosh will next play his last tournament from August 19. But before returning home, the youngster wants to make his trip more memorable by paying a visit to Camp Nou. "I am a Barcelona fan and now that I am here, I am dying to visit the Camp Nou once," he stated, planning to visit the stadium before playing his last tournament in Spain.
