Q&A: SOWMYA SWAMINATHAN

Sowmya Swaminathan, chess player, on Iran, her favourite books and hearting Rahul Dravid

Q. You made headlines for refusing to go to Iran and calling the headscarf a “direct violation of my basic human rights”.

Everything I wanted to say about not wearing the headscarf, I’ve already said it in my (Facebook) post. I will not amplify it. My profile as a chess player has nothing to do with my decision. It would have been the same irrespective of my profession.

Q. When the Indian women’s team took on the men in a workout challenge a couple years ago, you almost bested Grandmaster S.P. Sethuraman in a push-up contest. You think you could beat him now?

That plank competition with Sethu during the Chess Olympiad 2016 was fun! Rematch—yes, why not? I am playing table tennis and football these days to keep fit so I think my core muscles should be strong enough (to beat him)!

Q. What was your most memorable tournament?

Winning the World Junior Championship in 2009. A top five finish for India women in the Chess Olympiads 2012 and 2016 are also two very memorable performances.

Q. What are your favourite books— chess and non-chess? Any sporting heroes?

Andre Agassi’s Open and Richard Feynman’s What Do You Care What Other People Think? Favourite book on chess: Secrets of Chess Training by Mark Dvoretsky. Favourite sportsperson: Rahul Dravid forever.

Q. Does an understanding of chess help in real life?

Of course! Sport in itself helps one develop many important qualities. Chess, among other things, helps in planning ahead and improves one’s patience—two very important qualities in today’s world of instant gratification.