Surya Shekhar Ganguly Explained

Surya Sekhar Ganguly
Birthname:Surya Sekhar Ganguly
Country:India
Birth Date:24 February 1983
Birth Place:Kolkata earlier called Calcutta, India
Grandmaster (2003)
Peakrating:2676 (July 2016)
Peakranking:No. 55 (March 2010)
Fideid:5002150

Surya Sekhar Ganguly (born 24 February 1983) is an Indian chess grandmaster. His peak ELO rating was 2676 (July, 2016).[1] Ganguly became an International Master at the age of 16 and a grandmaster at the age of 19.

He has won 40 individual gold, 21 individual silver and 6 individual bronze medals in National as well as International tournaments. He was also the captain of the Indian team in the Asian Nations Online Cup 2020 which won the 2nd place. In addition, in team competitions he has won 12 gold, four silver and three bronze medals. Some of his recent achievements are winning individual gold in Hunan International Open (2019),[2] individual gold in World Team Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan (2019),[3] [4] gold in National Team Championship Kolkata (2019),[5] bronze in Binhai International Open, China (2018)[6] and bronze in Asian Team Championship in both Classical and Rapid in Iran (2018).[7]

The government of India has awarded him the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2005 for his outstanding achievement in sports. He was awarded ″Bangabhusan″, the second-highest civilian award of West Bengal, in 2015. He was also awarded the "Khel Samman" award in 2013 from the Government of West Bengal and the "Shera Bangali" award in 2009 as the best Sportsperson of Bengal.

He was six-time National champion (2003–2008) and Asian champion in 2009. He worked in the team of seconds that assisted Viswanathan Anand in winning the World Championship matches against Vladimir Kramnik, Veselin Topalov and Boris Gelfand in 2008, 2010 and 2012, respectively.

In 2024, a film inspired from his life named Dabaru has released. The director of the film is Pathikrit Basu.[8]

Achievements

Ganguly has played numerous individual and team tournaments, both national and international. He has won total 40 individual gold, 21 individual silver and 6 individual bronze medals in National as well as International tournaments and as a member of team he has won 12 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals. He achieved his IM (International Master) title at Goodricke International, Kolkata 2000 and the GM (Grand Master) title at the 35th Chess Olympiad, Bled 2002. Some of his notable achievements are given here.

National events

In addition to the National U10 and U12 championships mentioned above, Ganguly's achievements in other national events are:

Asian events

Olympiads and World Team

Other international tournaments

Early career

Ganguly was born 24 February 1983 in Kolkata. His grandfather, the late Anil Basumallick, taught him chess at the age of 5. Soon he became very popular in chess circles of Kolkata as he was the youngest player in most tournaments taking place during those days and also won prizes. In 1991, at the age of 8, he won both the Indian National U-10 and U-12 Championships. He won these Championships again in 1992 and 1995.

The following are his achievements in the World Youth Chess Championship in his age categories:

In 1995, at the age of 11, he beat a Grandmaster, the youngest player ever to do so until that time.[9]

Team Anand

Ganguly has been a member of the team of seconds that helped Anand win his World title matches against Kramnik, Topalov and Gelfand in 2008, 2010 and 2012 respectively. Other members of the team were GM Peter Heine Nielsen, GM Radosław Wojtaszek and the former FIDE World Champion GM Rustam Kasimdzhanov.

Anand has praised Ganguly for being very effective as a team member. About Ganguly, he says, "He is a very good chess player and analyst who works really hard. We (have worked) together for six–seven years and will work together for a long time. Why change formula when it's working."[81]

Personal life

He was born to Pankaj Ganguly and Aarti Ganguly on 24 February 1983. He has an elder sister who is a doctor. He is working as Senior Manager at the Indian Oil Corporation. He married Sudeshna Dutta, a doctor in biotechnology, in 2011. They have two children - a daughter and a son.

Notable games

Sample game

The following game is from 11th Edmonton International Tournament 2016,[87] a 10-player round robin event. Ganguly (White) was paired against Alexei Shirov (Black) in the last round. It was a must-win situation for both players, Ganguly to finish equal first with Shankland and Shirov to finish equal second with Ganguly.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 9.Nd5 Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.c3 Bg5 12.Nc2 Rb8 13.a4 bxa4 14.Ncb4 Nxb4 15.cxb4 0-0 16.Rxa4 a5 17.h4 Bh6 18.b5 Bd7 19.Nc3 d5 20.exd5 e4 21.Be2 f5 22.d6 Kh8 23.g3 f4 24.Rxe4 Bf5 25.Re5 Qf6 26.Qd5 fxg3 27.fxg3 Qg6 28.g4 Bc8 (Diagram)

29.Ne4!! Following Gelfand's teaching that it is not important how quickly you win but it's more important how safely you win. (Boris Gelfand: Positional Decision Making in Chess, Quality Chess UK, 2016). The computer says 29.Qd4 is the fastest route but Ganguly trusts Gelfand. Bb7 30.h5 Qxe4 31.Qxe4 Bxe4 32.Rxe4 Rfd8 33.Rd4 Finally, all complications are over and White is two pawns up. While calculating 29.Ne4 Ganguly had to just make sure that he didn't lose his vital 'd6' pawn that restricts Black's activity. Bc1 34.d7 This is again the safest way as it totally restricts Black. Bxb2 35.Rd5 Rb7 36.0-0 g6 37.h6 Ba3 38.Rf7 a4 39.Re5 Rbb8 40.Bc4 Bf8 41.Kg2 a3 42.Ba2 Bd6 43.Re6 Bf8 44.b6 White will play b7 when Black will be able to move nothing but his bishop. Shirov decided not to continue any further. 1-0

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIDE Chess ratings. ratings.fide.com.
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  3. Web site: World Teams 2019: India misses out on a medal, Adhiban and Ganguly win individual gold - ChessBase India. www.chessbase.in. 15 March 2019.
  4. Web site: Surya Sekhar Ganguly Wins Individual Gold At World Team Chess Championship (2019). Jishnu. Chatterjee (jishnuplayschess). Chess.com. 17 March 2019 .
  5. Web site: National Team Chess Championship: PSPB retains titles. Sportstar. 11 February 2019 .
  6. Web site: Chess-Results Server Chess-results.com - The 1st Binhai Cup China International Chess Open Tournament. chess-results.com.
  7. Web site: Asian Nations Cup Rapid 2018: Silver for the girls, Men take home bronze - ChessBase India. www.chessbase.in. 29 July 2018.
  8. Web site: Pratikrit Basu to direct a film on Surya Shekhar Ganguly. 18 June 2023. www.millenniumpost.in.
  9. Web site: Arvind Aaron . Surya Sekhar Ganguly - New National Junior Champion . Chess-mate.com . 2011-12-15 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120123053313/http://www.chess-mate.com/ssg.htm . 2012-01-23 .
  10. Web site: Ganguly wins maiden National 'A' chess title. www.rediff.com.
  11. Web site: 29th National Team Championship. chess-results.com.
  12. Web site: Velammal 45th National A Chess Chamionship [sic] |website=chess-results.com].
  13. News: Ganguly wins sixth successive National 'A' chess title | undefined News - Times of India. The Times of India. 30 December 2008 .
  14. Web site: 46th National A Chess Championship, India. chess-results.com.
  15. Web site: 34th National Team Chess Championship -2014. chess-results.com.
  16. Web site: 34th National Team Chess Championship -2014. chess-results.com.
  17. Web site: 35th Indian National Team Championships. 5 March 2015. Chess News.
  18. Web site: 35th National Team Chess Championship- 2015. chess-results.com.
  19. Web site: PSPB wins National Team 2018 with a perfect score - ChessBase India. www.chessbase.in. 15 February 2018.
  20. Web site: 38th National Team Chess Championship - 2018. chess-results.com.
  21. Web site: PSPB triumphs National Team Championships-2018 – All India Chess Federation. aicf.in.
  22. Web site: 39th National Team Championship Kolkata - 7 to 11 Feb 2019. chess-results.com.
  23. Web site: PSPB wins National Teams 2019 for the second consecutive year - ChessBase India. www.chessbase.in. 13 February 2019.
  24. Web site: National Team Chess; double delight for PSPB – All India Chess Federation. aicf.in.
  25. Web site: Surya qualifies for world meet. www.telegraphindia.com.
  26. Web site: Ganguly, Harika qualify for chess World Cup. 3 September 2007. Hindustan Times.
  27. Web site: Asian Team Chess Championship 2007. chess-results.com.
  28. Web site: Tata Steel Asian Team Chess Championship 2009. chess-results.com.
  29. Web site: Chess team gives India gold in Asian Indoor Games. 27 October 2007. mykhel.com.
  30. Web site: Chess News - Ganguly, Zhang win Asian Championships . ChessBase.com . 2009-05-31 . 2011-12-15.
  31. Web site: 'Asian title is just the beginning'. 3 June 2009. Hindustan Times.
  32. Web site: Chess-Results Server Chess-results.com - 8th Asian Continental/Individual (Open). chess-results.com.
  33. Web site: Asian Games - Men Team Semi Final & Final. chess-results.com.
  34. Web site: Indian men spank Uzbekistan 4-0, jump to top in chess - Indian Express. archive.indianexpress.com.
  35. Web site: Asian Indoor Games: Indians brighten medal prospects. Rakesh. Rao. Sportstar. 25 September 2017 .
  36. Web site: Chess-Results Server Chess-results.com - 17th Asian Continental Chess Championships (2nd Manny Pacquiao Cup) - OPEN. chess-results.com.
  37. Web site: Men's Chess Olympiads: Surya Shekhar Ganguly. OlimpBase. 10 June 2011.
  38. Web site: World Team Chess Championship 2009. wtcc2009.tsf.org.tr.
  39. Web site: World Team Chess Championship 2009. wtcc2009.tsf.org.tr.
  40. Web site: Ganguly, Surya Shekhar. ratings.fide.com.
  41. News: Levon Aronian World Junior Chess Champion 2002 - Sports and Recreation. HyeForum.
  42. Web site: ChessGames.com. www.chessgames.com.
  43. Web site: BritBase: 2nd Gibtelecom Gibraltar Masters, 27 January - 5 February 2004. www.saund.co.uk.
  44. Web site: 2004 - The Chesspedia. thechesspedia.net.
  45. Web site: ONGC Cup Intl GM Open July 2006 India FIDE Chess Tournament report . Ratings.fide.com . 2006-02-26 . 2011-12-15.
  46. Web site: ONGC CUP INTERNATIONAL GRAND MASTERS OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT. chess-results.com.
  47. Web site: Surya Sekhar Ganguly of Indian Oil Corporation celebrates with the ONGC Cup after winning the... | The Hindu Images.
  48. Web site: Parsvnath Commonwealth Chess Championships. chess-results.com.
  49. Web site: Ramesh clinches Commonwealth title. imworld.rediff.com.
  50. Web site: Ramesh is the Commonwealth Chess Champion. 2 January 2008. Chess News.
  51. Web site: Chess-Results Server Chess-results.com - COMMONWEALTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2008. chess-results.com.
  52. Web site: Nigel Short wins Commonwealth Championship 2008. 10 October 2008. Chess News.
  53. Web site: Tournament-Database . Chess-results.com . 2008-03-29 . 2011-12-15.
  54. Web site: Ganguly takes joint first place in Sydney Open chess. 7 April 2008.
  55. Web site: Ganguly wins Parsvnath chess title . Rediff.com . 2004-12-31 . 2011-12-15.
  56. Web site: Chess News - Ganguly wins 7th Parsvnath Open in New Delhi . ChessBase.com . 2009-01-20 . 2011-12-15.
  57. http://www.chess-results.com/tnr57896.aspx?art=1&rd=9&lan=1 Indonesia Open Chess Championship 2011
  58. Web site: Fujairah INT Masters Tournemnt 2012. 2012-11-21. archive.chess-results.com. 2024-08-11.
  59. Web site: Ganguly Surya Shekhar wins Fujairah Master Tournament on tie-break | Chessdom. 21 November 2012 .
  60. News: Apr 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230404231745/https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-asian-age/20121122/283128541142575 . Ganguly, Sandipan Shine In Fujairah . 22 Nov 2012 . . en . 26 July 2023 . . live.
  61. News: Ganguly, Sandipan shine in Fujairah. The Hindu. 21 November 2012. www.thehindu.com.
  62. Web site: LIC 2nd International Grand Masters Chess Tournament 2015. chess-results.com.
  63. Web site: Surya Shekhar Ganguly wins the second LIC International Grandmasters Chess Tournament. 25 March 2015. www.sportskeeda.com.
  64. News: Surya Shekhar Ganguly emerges champion. Amitabha Das. Sharma. The Hindu. 24 March 2015. www.thehindu.com.
  65. Web site: CECLUB División de Honor Grupo II. chess-results.com.
  66. Web site: I still have a lot to learn, says Surya. 4 January 2009.
  67. Web site: Harikrishna wins Edmonton International. 5 July 2015. Chess News.
  68. Web site: Interview with Surya Shekhar Ganguly. 10 May 2015. Chess News.
  69. Web site: 15th Bangkok Chess Club Open 2015. chess-results.com.
  70. Web site: O2C Doeberl Cup 2015 Premier. chess-results.com.
  71. Web site: O2C Doeberl Cup 2015 Premier. www.doeberlcup.com.au.
  72. Web site: Surya and Padmini shine at the Keres Memorial - ChessBase India. www.chessbase.in. 22 January 2016.
  73. Web site: Chess-Results Server Chess-results.com - 25th Keres Memorial - ACP Open. chess-results.com.
  74. Web site: Edmonton: Ganguly ties for first, cedes the spot to Shankland - ChessBase India. www.chessbase.in. 30 June 2016.
  75. Web site: 2016 Edmonton International chess tournament results - ChessFocus.com. www.chessfocus.com.
  76. Web site: BCC Open Champions – Bangkok Chess Club.
  77. Web site: 16th Bangkok Chess Club Open 2016. chess-results.com.
  78. Web site: Doeberl Cup 2016: Ganguly finishes second - ChessBase India. www.chessbase.in. 30 March 2016.
  79. Web site: 2016 O2C Doeberl Cup Premier. chess-results.com.
  80. Web site: History: The Doeberl Cup - Australia's Premier Grand Prix Chess Tournament Since 1963. www.doeberlcup.com.au.
  81. Web site: I played fast and furious near climax: Anand . Zeenews.com . 2010-06-14 . 2011-12-15.
  82. Web site: Anand, Viswanathan vs. Ganguly, Surya Shekhar | Tata Steel India - Rapid 2018. chess24.com.
  83. Web site: Yu, Yangyi vs. Ganguly, Surya Shekhar | FIDE World Team Championship 2019. chess24.com.
  84. Web site: Mareco, Sandro vs. Ganguly, Surya Shekhar | Spanish League of Honour 2017. chess24.com.
  85. Web site: Magnus Carlsen vs Surya Shekhar Ganguly (2016). www.chessgames.com.
  86. Web site: Surya Shekhar Ganguly vs Peter Svidler (2011). www.chessgames.com.
  87. Web site: Surya Shekhar Ganguly vs Alexey Shirov (2016). www.chessgames.com.