Here is a short story about the esteemed grandmaster, Harikrishna Pentala. Take a sneak peek into the grandmaster's life, his journey to becoming a grandmaster, and how chess might be on a little hold due to a new duty for him: his family and his daughter.

1. What is the secret set of human skills and character needed in order to become a chess Grandmaster?

Pentala: A combination of working in a productive way and learning from the mistakes. It is better to analyse your game or position by yourself and only then to check with the engine.

2. In a nutshell, when you look back and reflect on your experience, can you explain to us how the path to becoming a Chess Grandmaster unfolds?

Pentala:I was mostly playing within India and there was just one open event where norms can be achieved. I was fortunate to qualify for the chess olympiad held at Istanbul in the year 2000. This gave me an opportunity to achieve my first gm norm. From then on I completed my title within 10 months as I had to wait for the Asian championship in 2001 where I made my final norm. In my mind, I was stronger than Grandmaster level by this age. It is only a matter of time that i become a Grandmaster.

3. How do you balance your professional life with your mental and physical health?

Pentala: Until I became Grandmaster, I did not pay too much attention to my physical health. I was introduced to yoga at the beginning and later expanded to other physical activities and sports. I can confidently say that both mental and physical health is quite important and plays a crucial role in giving your best during a chess game.

4. How does you, being a father, affected your professional chess career?

Pentala: Life has changed a lot after becoming a father but I am still an active player and perhaps work a little less nowadays.

5. Throughout your entire chess career, was there something that the chess industry has been missing? For example, any tools, platforms, career managers, or anything else that comes to your mind?

Pentala: Having a person who can take care of logistics would have been of a big help.There were times when I received my visa just before going to the airport!!! Nowadays I think of a platform where contacts of the entire chess community so that communication will be smooth between organisers,players,coaches etc.

6. When you read about Outpost Chess, what is the one-sentence (or the shortest possible) explanation, what is Outpost?

Pentala: A platform where the chess community can interact.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with Outpost readers. Meet with him or many more grandmasters via Outpostchess.com