LUCKNOW, July 19 -- Almost 10 years ago, in his very first chess tournament in Lucknow, Harshit Amarmani scored zero in nine rounds. He cried, and his grandmother asked him not to play chess ever again as the game felt like torture to him. Some time later, Harshit's love for the sport paid rich dividends as he had his first rating point in an event in New Delhi. He has been moving his pieces in the right directions, and only this week, Amarmani scaled new heights, winning under-2200 section Isola Del Sole Tournament in Grado, Italy to become Lucknow's highest rated chess player. Amarmani, 21, achieved a FIDE published rating of 2143 by scoring 5/9 with a performance rating of 2218. Belonging to a business family and a resident of Mahanagar, the young man scored crucial wins against Candidate Master Mario Hofstadler of Austria, Noe Python of Switzerland, and Woman International Master Aakansha Hagawane of India. He picked up important draws against Ellen Wang of the United States and International Master Dusan Lekic of Montenegro. Previously, Amarmani tied for second in the Prague Chess Rapid, first in under-1800 section at Belgrade Chess Open, and second at under-18 1800 in Phuket Blue Chevaliers Chess Open. He is a regular winner at several local tournaments. "For me, chess is a passion, and my goal is only to keep improving and reach the highest level. I believe it's possible. I'm truly indebted to my family and Black and White Club for supporting me," Amarmani said on Friday. He also admitted that things weren't easy at the Italy event, as all his opponents were well prepared. "Chess is a very tough sport and I felt it at the Italy event when I found all my opponents well prepared. I felt I was playing against machines, and not humans," he said. "Looking back, I feel it's been an exciting journey. I know I have to go far, but I truly am thankful to my club and family for supporting me, especially when I lose. All my heart to my mother for taking me to chess club Black and White when I was ten years old," he said, adding, "I hope to become Grandmaster one day, and hopefully go all the way to the Candidates and world title. I'm ready for the hard work." Amarmani's trainers, Junaid Ahmad and Dimitris Farmakis, were all praise for him. Farmakis of Greece said, "Harshit is very hard working, and it's rare to find such dedication." Ahmad, a former UP senior champion himself, said, "The journey of ten years feels worth it with this achievement. But Harshit has to play more international tournaments." "We request the state government and all city chess lovers to sponsor Harshit. He has been working nights to fund his travels while managing his studies and training. If we support his talent now, the next few months won't go to waste."...