Kolkata, March 24 (IANS) Viktor Laznicka of Czech Repubic admits coming from a country with a little chess following, yet the 20-year old Grandmaster is keen to make a career out of it. Laznicka has a rating of 2595 ELO points and is ranked 10th among juniors in the world. “I plan to turn a professional this year. Next year I will complete my studies and then I can fully concentrate on the game,” Laznicka told IANS Monday.

Asked what his hopes are as a professional chess player in Czech Republic, he said, “There are around 20 GMs in the country, 10 of whom are professionals. Players mostly hire their own coaches,” said Laznicka, who has been seeded fourth in the 3rd Kolkata Open Chess Tournament. He is playing in the meet for the first time.

“I am a fan of Vladimir Kramnik. His game attracts me. I like Viswanathan Anand too. He is a great player, but Kramnik is still my favourite,” he said.

From Kolkata, Laznicka will head back home where he will play in the Pardubice Open from July 26.

Laznicka is the youngest winner of the Czech Republic’s Open, which he won in Bron last year at the age of 18. The win at that tournament fetched him his GM norm.

“I want to increase my ratings as much as I can by playing in top tournaments,” said Laznicka.