Playing a strong opening and middle game will help you beat your rival, Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, in Jamshedpur on Wednesday said.

At the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Wednesday evening, where a summer camp, hosted by Tata Steel sports department, is underway, some 50 junior masters, all between eight and 14 years - stared at the Grandmaster with undisguised awe.

Barua, now 48, is the second Indian Grandmaster after Vishwanathan Anand. Awarded the title by FIDE in 1991, he made waves long ago on the chessboard in 1978 when as a schoolboy, he was the youngest participant in the Indian National Championship.

"Well, I'm in Jamshedpur for three days and would give tips to participants from tomorrow (Thursday). I am playing with children today (Wednesday) to know their style of playing and shortcomings," Barua said.

He said there was no dearth of talent in Jamshedpur.

"But, more tournaments and coaching centres will keep budding players in good stead. Young players need proper exposure to grow in their game. Tournaments and coaching give them the required exposure and confidence," Barua, who runs two chess academies in Ballygunge and Salt Lake, added.

Jamshedpur-based Neeraj Mishra, the working present of All Jharkhand Chess Association, is the chief coach at the academies Barua runs. "We have a team of 35 mentors who assist over 300 cadets," the Grandmaster said.

On training areas he would focus on, Barua said: "Nowadays children learn a lot about chess from the Internet, but I stress on the opening and middle game."

Children can hardly wait for Thursday. "I am really looking forward to get vital tips from Dibyendu Sir. I want to improve my game," said Anshuman Swain, a third grader of DAV Public School, Bistupur.

Their mentor Jayant Kumar Bhuyan, who holds regular sessions at the camp, agreed. "Barua's tips would come very handy for beginners," he said.