LIFE BEHIND THE BOARD: RAJAT MAKKAR

Few young sportsmen boast as much promise and talent as Fifth Year pupil Rajat Makkar. Vishal Saha spoke with him about his journey to achieving the title of International Master (IM), as well as what the future may hold.

In the world of chess, achieving the title of International Master (IM) is a remarkable feat. With millions of chess players worldwide, only a select few, around 4,000 individuals, hold the esteemed title of IM. Notably (at the time of writing) Rajat stands as one of just two players in the United Kingdom, at the U20 level, who have secured this remarkable award.

Attaining the IM title in chess is an arduous and lengthy journey that demands a great deal of dedication and perseverance. To become an IM, a player must reach an International Chess Federation (FIDE) rating of 2400 or above and accomplish three performance ‘norms’ in FIDE-rated tournaments.

'Norms’ are attained by meeting specific performance criteria across a designated number of games in competitive tournaments. Rajat emphasises that improving one's rating requires "consistently playing at a high level." A fortunate victory against a higher-rated player does not translate into a higher ranking. Instead, it is about maintaining an elevated standard of play over an extended period.

Rajat's journey in chess commenced from a very young age. "I started around 4 or 5-years-old and my dad actually introduced the game to my sister first, which then inspired me." The early context of Rajat's life played a pivotal role in his chess success. For example, living in France during his early years, he played at the prestigious Cannes Chess Clubrenowned for nurturing young talent. The club’s convenient location provided him with countless opportunities to challenge himself against stronger opponents as Rajat lived a mere "five minutes away from the club."

Another significant factor contributing to Makkar's success is his longstanding coach. A long-term coaching relationship is extremely useful for players since the coach becomes familiar with their strengths and weaknesses enabling them to provide tailored guidance throughout their chess journey. Nowadays, Rajat commits to two lessons a week with his coach. He jokingly tells me, "I think I actually have a lesson with him today!"

Moreover, given it is a profoundly psychological game, Rajat has dedicated himself to cultivating a positive mindset throughout his chess career. "When I was younger, I tried to be cautious and avoid mistakes. But now, I try not to get too affected by [the games]. If I make a mistake in an important match, you know, it happens – my opponent is probably going to make a mistake as well because he’s not perfect," he shares.

Reflecting on his most memorable game, Rajat finds it difficult to choose just one. However, he vividly recalls an intensely fought tournament in France while representing the Cannes Chess Club.

"It was a very important team match. The match score was 7-6 to the opposition. It was only my game left, so I had to win this game to help the team top the overall group stage. Somehow, I managed to end up winning from not the best position." This is an example of the camaraderie and team spirit within the chess community - Rajat in particular cherishes the feeling of winning "when your whole team is depending on you."

The question of whether chess should be classified as a sport (like rugby or football) remains a subject of ongoing debate, Rajat argues "people underestimate how difficult it is." Unlike some sports that provide instant gratification for beginners, Rajat says in chess, "you only get the reward after hours of work."

Furthermore, as Rajat juggles his Fifth Year and GCSE exams, he acknowledges that his available hours for chess have reduced. "It is much less than before," he admits, as his focus shifts towards revising. Nevertheless, his dedication to the game is truly remarkable. [Before GCSEs] "I used to play chess for about two hours every school day and dedicate five or six hours each day at the weekend. So, I probably averaged between 18-25 hours per week," he reveals.

Rajat's training regime focuses on three key areas: openings, positional play and calculations, as well as endgame. Rajat emphasises the importance of calculation, in particular, this refers to the ability to anticipate and think several moves ahead.

However, despite his immense talent and potential, I am somewhat surprised by Rajat’s reservations about making chess a full-time career. He candidly tells me: "It can be very stressful as a professional chess player, and it is not necessarily the best paid job. But I always want to keep it on the side." Rajat's thoughtful attitude regarding his future chess career reveals a high level of maturity, as well as his commitment to ultimately finding a more balanced path in life.

With the IM title secured, Rajat has set his sights on an even more ambitious goal: "I’ll be aiming for Grandmaster Title (GM) hopefully by the end of my Hampton career. I think I am capable of it because I have almost got there twice before - but unfortunately I drew and lost in both the must-win games to earn the GM norms."

Overall, Rajat's extraordinary journey in chess, as well as his unwavering dedication, serves as a true inspiration for any aspiring chess players. As he embarks on his journey towards the GM Title, we eagerly await the next chapter in this prodigy's already incredible chess career.

BY OMER DEMIRAL