CHENNAI: When New Delhi Grandmaster Sahaj Grover visited South Africa for the Commonwealth chess tournament in 2013 --- little did he know that the country would become his second home in the coming years.
The 26-year-old shifted base to South Africa in 2018 and completed his studies at the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth. Being a regular on the South African chess circuit in the last few years and his familiarity with the country’s top players played a big role in Sahaj getting the captain-cum-coach’s job of the national open team at the upcoming Olympiad to be played from July 28.
“Coaching wasn’t on my mind when I came here to study. I didn’t have any students to start with, and then had one in college, and now I expanded my base. Being part of their chess journey has been special,” Sahaj told TOI from Johannesburg. When the president of Chess South Africa Hendrik du Toit approached him for the role a couple of months ago, Sahaj was more than happy to take it up. “I have played with a majority of players in the men’s team and I am quite familiar with their styles of play. Not only do I know them as players but many of them are my friends and we meet regularly,” said Sahaj, former U-10 World champion.
Sahaj took up this role not only for the comfort level he shares with the players, but also for chess’ potential in South Africa. “There is no dearth of talent in chess in the country. Rugby and cricket are popular in South Africa because the country delivered good performances on the biggest stages. Chess too can follow suit when our players start doing well on the international circuit. It may well start with this Olympiad and I will be happy to play a part in the success,” Sahaj pointed out.
If one glances through the open team, it comprises Kenny Solomon, Daniel Cawdery, Daniel Barrish, Mhango Banele and Kobese Watu. “I look to give individual attention to the members of my team and we have trained only online. We have a healthy bunch of youth and experience. I am not in the habit of setting a target but the aim is to give our best in each round,” mentioned Sahaj. The women’s team features February Jesse Nikki, Van Zyl Charlize, Chloe Badenhorst, Rebecca Selkirk and Denise Bouah.
