'Amaurosis Scacchistica' ufffd the Latin term for chess blindness could well be given as a polite explanation for errors by Grandmasters.

Blind chess champ Darpan Inani wants to be a Grandmaster

'Amaurosis Scacchistica' ufffd the Latin term for chess blindness could well be given as a polite explanation for errors by Grandmasters.

But the visually challenged cannot hide under any excuse. Sixteen-year-old Darpan Inani however shrugs away this term and says, "There should be no excuses for losing. Focus always has to be on winning".

Good logic especially when coming from a player who has defied all odds and beaten all calculations to win the National 'A' Chess Championship for the Blind in Mumbai recently.

This Baroda-based player has also set a record by being the youngest ever National champion and will also be the youngest Indian to represent his country in the forthcoming World Blind Chess Championship in Serbia this August.

Darpan's self confidence is admirable. He says his goals in life are clear cut: to be a Chess Grandmaster and also to get a post Graduate degree from IIM. Life has not been a bed of roses for this Valentine's Day-born youngster.
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He was afflicted by the Steven Johnson Syndrome (allergic reaction to medicine in his case) and totally lost his vision before he turned four. Undeterred by this, his father Satish, a businessman and mother Vimla agonised over the choices their son could make. "We wanted him to take up some activity where his lack of sight would not be a handicap or hindrance and hence opted for chess where the visually impaired could compete with those more fortunate, on equal terms," says his father, Satish".

Thus began the rounds to various chess events which amounted to a fair amount of travelling as Baroda does not exactly boast of a strong chess culture or tournaments for that matter.

Darpan tries to juggle his study time and chess preparation and has seldom scored less than 90 per cent in his exams.

A multi-faceted child, he has appeared for his Class X Board exams and admitted that his preparation for this edition of the Nationals was restricted to only 13 days.

Darpan has been coached by Mumbai based IM Shekhar Sahu, who periodically visits him and lends assistance over the telephone.

"His immense talent could make him a world champion and the next couple of years will be crucial ufffd how he shapes up and whether he can attract sponsors," said Sahu.

Darpan has also equipped himself with the latest chess software and even plays Blitz games on the internet. However, he is quick to confess that he takes on another identity while matching wits with others around the world.

He is also an accomplished tabla and harmonium player. His dream is to emulate his idols Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen.