GCL: How coach Adhiban went from fast to feast

One of the most memorable moments of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, which concluded in Bengaluru on Sunday, came after the match between Ganges Grandmasters and Cheq Mumba Masters, earlier. The Grandmasters won the match, the best player of which was Stavroula Tsolakidou.

The Greek player, however, handed over the trophy to the Grandmasters’ coach, B. Adhiban, making his debut in such a role. She said he deserved it more.

Adhiban graciously accepted the trophy from her on the stage. He revealed he had indeed helped Tsolakidou with her preparation and suggested the openings for her various opponents.

“She is an excellent student and has excellent memory,” Adhiban told The Hindu. “I was happy to work with her and see that we were getting the results right through the GCL.”

Tsolakidou went on to win the Player-of-the-Tournament award. She, in fact, was a revelation.