The story of India's rise in global chess is incomplete without the tale of two prodigious talents racing to a historic milestone. In the mid-1980s, the quest to become the nation's first Grandmaster was a fierce duel between a teenager from Chennai, Viswanathan Anand, and a determined boy from Kolkata, Dibyendu Barua.
The Boy Who Toppled a Soviet Titan
Long before that famous race, a 15-year-old Dibyendu Barua announced his arrival on the world stage in dramatic fashion. The year was 1982, and the venue was London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, hosting the 6th Lloyds Bank Masters. Barua, who had travelled with his father on a tight budget, arrived late but made an unforgettable impact. He achieved the unthinkable by defeating the legendary Soviet grandmaster Viktor Korchnoi, who was then the World No. 2 and considered the strongest player never to win the world championship.
The victory was so significant it was reported by The New York Times with the headline 'Indian Turn Korchnoi Into Hastings Pudding.' Barua recalls the aftermath vividly, noting how a stunned Korchnoi, his face still red from the loss, even refused a photograph request from the legendary Bangladeshi player Rani Hamid.
A Journey Forged in Adversity
Barua's path to that moment was paved with struggle and familial sacrifice. His first major breakthrough came in 1979 when he received an invitation to the World Junior Championship in Mexico. With the government offering no financial aid, his father, Benoy Barua, faced a daunting challenge. The family's printing business generated a modest income, and the required funds were well over a lakh of rupees.
Undeterred by naysayers, Benoy Barua took a loan. The story of their struggle was published in a local newspaper, leading to a heartwarming community effort. A Bengali association in Dubai, a Bengali doctor, and friends rallied together to send the 13-year-old Dipu (his nickname) to Mexico. He did not disappoint, returning with a bronze medal, India's first at that prestigious level.
His talent was evident early. In 1978, at just 12 years old, he won the sub-junior, junior, and senior state championships in succession, qualifying for the National Championship A and becoming the youngest ever to achieve this feat.
The Grandmaster Race and a Lasting Bond
The mid-1980s saw the historic race intensify. While Viswanathan Anand clinched the title of India's first Grandmaster in 1988, Barua's journey had its hurdles. At his first Olympiad in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1988, he missed his first GM norm after botching a winning position in the final round.
In that moment of deep disappointment, support came from an unexpected quarter—his friend and rival, Anand. Barua remembers Anand, who was his roommate at the event, patting him on the back and saying, "Dipu, don't worry. You are pretty close to being a GM. You are already knocking on the door. You are almost there." Barua eventually earned his Grandmaster title in 1991.
Giving Back: The Organiser and Mentor
Today, Dibyendu Barua's contribution to chess extends far beyond the 64 squares. He is an omnipresent figure at events like the Tata Steel Chess India in Kolkata, attending to guests, assisting players, and even functioning as a journalist. His true passion, however, lies in nurturing the next generation and supporting the community.
Since 2005, his Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy (DBCA) has hosted the annual 'Chess For Youth' event. He also organizes Open classical rating tournaments. One initiative closest to his heart is a special tournament for senior citizens, which he funds from his own pocket.
"I started this tournament as a tribute to my father," he shares, recalling the community support that sent him to Mexico. "They don't play for money… but purely for the joy of it. I wanted to give something back." From the boy who stunned Korchnoi to the pillar of Indian chess, Dibyendu Barua's legacy is one of resilience, sportsmanship, and profound gratitude.
