PUNE: K Sasikiran is a happy man. He has played the most games for India - 113. Far more than any other player in the Olympiad but did not win the gold medal despite 11 attempts - from 1998 to 2022.
And now this. "Yes, I have a sense of belonging with this team," 43-year-old Sasi told TOI. "Happy that it happened in my time. Gold medal for India, so so happy for everybody. I really wanted to (win gold)... having played so many Olympiads. When Anand played with us, I was quite optimistic."
Sasikiran refused to agree that players like him built the foundation of this triumph. "Foundation is too strong a word. Vishy built the foundation and we were the bridge between him and the young generation. Chess is booming and we Indians are making waves at all tournaments. The Olympiad gold is the crown jewel - the highest team tournament."
Sasi added: "Next, the World Team Championship which we have never won."
He called this team not just special, but "very special". "For the first time, we have all players rated Elo 2700 or more. That's a big plus point. Most importantly, they gelled well together. Strong teams may have stars in the team, but team combinations and all other preparations are a little bit difficult. The coordination within the team is more relevant than strength on paper. Plus how to use the fifth player. Hari is the oldest player in the team but consistent... he can come back anytime when required."
Sasi, who was the first Indian player to break the Elo 2700 ceiling after V Anand, was asked about the recent rating surge of Indian players.
"Things have changed drastically. Opening preparation has evolved over the last few years. The youngsters benefited a lot by working with a player of Anand's stature."
Sasi said despite their dominating performance, this Indian team faced some difficult situations and games. "But they turned things around. I was very optimistic about the gold. They were well prepared .. all of them. I felt everybody was playing responsibly. They were in very good shape. Pragg has made draws... but he is playing consistently and holding his nerve. That is most important."
Sasi said that to win the Olympiad, you need to take some risks.
"If you play too safe, and not beat weaker opponents by converting your chances...(you fumble). But there is a fine balance. How far you can take the risk and when to put the brakes on and so on. If things backfire it affects the morale of the team. The guys in this Indian team understand what to do and the captain (N Srinath) is very experienced."
India's first team medal bronze came in 2014. Sasikiran played on the third board then despite being the highest rated player in the team.
"I managed plus-five in that edition but cannot single out the best game of my Olympiad career," he said. Then he recalled his win over Germany in that edition where he defeated Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu with black pieces. Both him and Germany were undefeated in that tournament until that point.
"We were trying (to perform better in the Olympiad). Yes, there were disappointing results. But we put our efforts wholeheartedly. The thought of quitting hardly appeared because I always feel proud to represent my nation. It can be difficult at times, but it's a duty for me."
