Doctor Anwesh Upadhyaya makes a fantastic return at Mykolaiv 2021
Covid-19 pandemic has put a whole lot of our plans in disarray. Many of us are still finding our way to get back to over-the-board chess while very few are slowly getting back to otb chess. Former National Rapid champion, doctor and IM Anwesh Upadhyaya returned to otb action at Mykolaiv 2021 after almost a two-year hiatus. Find out how was it for him to play a tournament after such a long time and much more. Also check out two in-depth analysis of his games by none other than Dr. Upadhyaya himself.
Unbeaten and clear second finish
After Valay Parikh, Anwesh Upadhyaya is the second Indian who is an IM to become a doctor. He returned to over-the-board action at Mykolaiv 2021. He scored an unbeaten 6.5/9 and finished at sole second position, just a half point behind the 71-year-old eventual champion GM Vladimir Okhotnik of France. Anwesh played some fine chess and showed that he hasn't lost an ounce of his touch.
After the tournament got over, we caught up with him to bring you the perspective of a chess player who is also a doctor, about playing otb chess after a long time and dealing with the entire unprecedented pandemic situation.
Shahid Ahmed (SA): Congratulations for finishing second and remaining unbeaten in Mykolaiv - 2021. How did it feel to play an otb tournament after two years?
Anwesh Upadhyaya (AU): Thank you very much. The last tournament I played was Raisoni Memorial in May 2019 in Nagpur, India. So it was a very welcoming feeling that I got a chance to play an OTB event. It was the longest break I ever had in my entire career I believe.
SA: What was the reason behind the two year hiatus?
AU: As I mentioned, the last OTB event I played was in 2019. After that, I was busy with my work. However, I had some events planned in the upcoming Winter, when things got worse due to the covid-19 outbreak. Then with so many travel restrictions, I decided to drop the idea of playing any event overseas.
SA: Which one would you say was more difficult and satisfying - becoming an IM or a doctor?
AU: I think becoming a doctor is more difficult, but one can argue there are more doctors than GMs and IMs 😉 Both the achievements are satisfying equally as they have come with challenges. My profession gives me a chance to contribute to the society and Chess keeps me alive!
SA: What are you doing and where do you live currently?
AU: I am working in a private hospital. Simultaneously completing my apprenticeship in gastroenterology. Currently, I am residing in Kyiv, Ukraine.
SA: What is your connection with Ukraine?
AU: The connection with Ukraine started from 2008-09 when I met GM Georgy Timoschenko regarding chess coaching. He was my tutor and had a major role in shaping me up as a chess player. It was his idea that I come Kyiv to study medicine, and also I might have some time to play events as well. I am extremely grateful to him and his wife Julia who helped me once I was in Ukraine. They are my guardian angels here and I still keep touch with him on a regular basis.
SA: How are you coping with the ongoing pandemic?
AU: So the pandemic definitely was a new experience, and a scary one during the initial days. I am glad things are improving now. I had planned some events in Czech Republic and Hungary and decided to take some time off from work but the virus breakout altered everything. Now the saying, "Man proposes, God disposes" seems very logical. With my work place, things are pretty much the same, just extra precautionary measures are taken. Also, with the ongoing awareness programs, it is evident everyone is learning to live with the virus. I keep myself busy with chess, online training mainly and majority of my time is at work. Keeping myself at home, and avoiding gatherings. A bit worried at times about my parents, but I am sure they are cautious as well.
SA: How difficult was it to play with a mask on and with all preventive measures?
AU: Masks did not bother me, as all medical professionals are used to it. True, never had the experience of using it during a game, so it was a bit weird and had to constantly cope with the fogging of glasses! I am actually glad since the organizers made sure masks and sanitizers were available in plenty, and regular temperature check was carried out.
SA: Which is your favorite game from the event?
AU: My favorite game was against Sydoryka, where I managed to completely outplay him all throughout the game, and then underestimated his counterplay and almost allowing a draw. However, in mutual time trouble, he failed to find a nice geometry which included perpetual checks, and I spotted the escape route for my king.
I also had a miniature with Bondar Dymtro which was pleasing as well!
SA: What's next for you?
AU: Next events, I am unsure as of now. I have few more invitations for closed events in Ukraine, but I cannot take so much time off work. So probably nothing just yet. I would still continue with my lessons with the aspiring players and of course with my friends with whom I still connect and work on chess!
SA: Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
AU: Thank you for your wishes and wish you the best too !
Replay all games of Anwesh Upadhyaya
Final Standings
| Rk. | SNo | Name | FED | Rtg | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | n | w | we | w-we | K | rtg+/- | ||
| 1 | 2 | GM | Okhotnik Vladimir | FRA | 2350 | 7,0 | 28,25 | 0,0 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 5,75 | 1,25 | 10 | 12,5 | |
| 2 | 6 | IM | Anwesh Upadhyaya | IND | 2364 | 6,5 | 28,25 | 0,0 | 4 | 9 | 6,5 | 5,94 | 0,56 | 10 | 5,6 | |
| 3 | 9 | Kushko Dmitriy | UKR | 2285 | 6,0 | 23,25 | 0,0 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 4,90 | 1,10 | 20 | 22,0 | ||
| 4 | 7 | FM | Sydoryka Vladyslav | UKR | 2331 | 5,5 | 19,00 | 0,0 | 5 | 9 | 5,5 | 5,49 | 0,01 | 20 | 0,2 | |
| 5 | 1 | FM | Bondar Dmytro | UKR | 2254 | 5,5 | 17,50 | 0,0 | 5 | 9 | 5,5 | 4,48 | 1,02 | 20 | 20,4 | |
| 6 | 8 | IM | Boricsev Oleg | HUN | 2234 | 4,0 | 18,50 | 0,0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 4,21 | -0,21 | 10 | -2,1 | |
| 7 | 4 | FM | Vakulenko Oleksandr | UKR | 2256 | 4,0 | 10,50 | 0,0 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 4,51 | -0,51 | 20 | -10,2 | |
| 8 | 10 | Kozak Leonid | UZB | 2244 | 3,0 | 11,25 | 0,0 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 4,35 | -1,35 | 20 | -27,0 | ||
| 9 | 3 | Gavrish Leonid | UKR | 2085 | 2,0 | 6,75 | 0,0 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 2,33 | -0,33 | 20 | -6,6 | ||
| 10 | 5 | WFM | Kocyigit Buse Naz | TUR | 2143 | 1,5 | 6,75 | 0,0 | 0 | 9 | 1,5 | 3,04 | -1,54 | 20 | -30,8 |
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IM Anwesh Upadhyaya is now safe as he reaches Polish border
@ 02/03/2022 by Sagar Shah (en) |
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Indian IM and doctor Anwesh Upadhyaya trapped in his apartment in Kyiv
@ 27/02/2022 by ChessBase India (en) |