Kolkata: It's a mixed feeling for the Bengal youngsters who will debut in the Fide World Cup in Goa on Saturday. For Grandmaster Diptayan Ghosh and International Masters Aronyak Ghosh and Neelash Saha, it will be a chance of a lifetime.
"I'm really excited to play at such a big stage, but I will be lying if I say I am not nervous," Neelash told TOI from Goa. The same feeling was echoed by the other two too.
Except Diptayan, none of the other two had any experience of rubbing shoulders with the world's best. "I had played the World Rapid and Blitz in Dec 2024. But the Classical knockout format is very different," Diptayan said.
"In this format, a single mistake can harm you badly," Aronyak said.
"Unlike the round-robin system, here there's no chance to make a comeback," Neelash pointed out.
However, all three said the biggest advantage of this format is that as you get to know your opponent. "You can study his games beforehand," Diptayan said.
That's how the three have prepared themselves too. While Diptayan (Elo 2573) will open against GM Xiongjian Pen (2521) of China, Aronyak (2514) will play Polish GM Mateusz Bartel (2575).
Neelash will face challenges from Uruguayan No. 1 player GM Georg Meier (2596).
"He is a very experienced player," Neelash said about his opponent. Diptayan, however, found it difficult to study his rival's games. "Unlike European and American players, you don't get so many games from Chinese players online. So there remains some unknown factor in my rival," Diptayan said.
Interestingly, if Diptayan wins the opener, he will face USA's GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2732) in the second round.
Aronyak on the other hand could face two-time World Cup winner GM Levon Aronian (2722) of USA in round II. "We are not thinking that far," was how both players said about the draw.
However, all three will look forward to learning from the games of the world's best. "I don't know whether it will be possible to interact with the big names during the tournament, but of course it will be great to share the same platform with them," Diptayan stated.