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Full Name: Amit Kumar Sharma
Age: 46 years
Native Place: Haryana
Education: M.A. (English Literature), B.Ed., B.Sc. (Maths), Diploma in Electronics & Communication, Diploma in Art & Crafts
Family: Father Shri Gian Chand and Mother Smt. Jaiwanti both retired as teachers at Govt. schools. Wife Sunita Rani is a teacher in a Private School and son Vaibhav Sharma studying B.Sc (Computer Science)
Occupation: Lecturer in English at D.A.V. Sr. Sec. School, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana. Running own coaching centre for Maths & Physics.
How I started playing Chess: At the age of 10, my uncle presented me a chess-set on my birthday. But that chess set was used by my two elder sisters and uncle sometimes. I just watched them play and learnt how to move the chessmen. They played Indian version of Chess. One day, my sisters quarrelled over some issue and as a result they tore off my chess-board and threw chessmen in the garbage bin. At the age of 18, while at college, I watched games of my friends and learnt about Chess version played Internationally. Some important rules (e.g. En passant, threefold repetition or photographic draw, 50 move draw, etc.) were taught by my college friend, Mr. Lalit Kapoor, who is also an AIWCF member and a top-10 player. But later, I had to change college as I got admission into Polytechnic. There I played at Inter-College Level for 3 years and won 2 Gold, 4 Silver and 2 Bronze Medals.
Besides these college performances, I have played some OTB tournaments. The best results were the following:
- Haryana Open Chess Tournament 1999, Jind (4.5/7), Position 17th out of 88.
- Yamuna Nagar Dist. Championship 2006 (4/6), Position 3rd out of 15.
- Yamuna Nagar Dist. Championship 2008 (3.5/6), Position 4th out of 16.
- Mohali Open Chess Tournament , 2002 (7/7) Position 1st out of 64.
- Balwant Sindhu Memorial Chess Tournament, Patiala, 2003 (6.5/8) Position 2nd out 32.
- 18th Punjab Kesari Open Chess Tournament, Ambala Cantt, 2020 (4.5/5) Position 1st out of 70.
Favourite players: Paul Morphy, Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, Vishwanathan Anand
How I joined AIWCF: At the behest of Lalit Kapoor.
Favourite AIWCF players: Shams Khan, A. Chatterjee, Om Prakash, Gautam De and Anil Anand.
About Engine-forbidden tournament: I am one of the pioneer members who were advocating Engine-forbidden or No-Engine tournaments in AIWCF. I am not against use of technology but one should use it for analyzing or practicing, but in tournaments it should be avoided. Now this matter can be one of hot debate, and it depends upon one’s will. So we cannot compel anybody to play in Engine-forbidden tournaments. AIWCF (specially Dr. Amber Chatterjee, our President) has played a significant role in organizing Engine-forbidden tournaments. Without Dr. Chatterjee’s contribution and co-operation, it was almost impossible.
Other interests besides Chess: I have played Ranji Trophy (Cricket) represented Chandigarh XI for three years. I am fond of playing musical instruments, Keyboard (Synthesizer) and Harmonium. I am an amateur Astrologer too. Astrology is my hobby.
My Aim: Chess is not my passion, I am more of a hobby player. I just want to play a good game and nothing more.
My Favorite Book: Logical Chess move by move by Irving Chernev and Think Like a Grandmaster by Alexander Kotov.
Some suggestions for AIWCF: AIWCF is doing a great job. I want to suggest organizing online chess tournament. We can use Lichess or Chess.com as main platform. There should be a club or group e.g. AICCF_Warriors where periodic tournaments can be held/organized at regular intervals. All members should be a part of this club whether they regularly play or not. And besides this, there should be a paid tournament in this club with good prize money for winners.
Some interesting games: