Bhubaneswar, July 1: He was the first chess player from the state to win the Grandmaster title in 2013. Now, Debashis Das, only 22, has added another feather to his cap. On June 27, the chess wizard was formally declared as the brand ambassador of the state-run milk federation Omfed.

Das is thrilled to have got a sponsor for his chess tournaments. "When I reached 20, I earned the Grandmaster title. This June, I turned 22, and was chosen as an ambassador for Omfed. I can't thank God enough!" said Das.

For further improvement in the sport, Das practises chess in a room here so that he is not disturbed. "I have been practising there since I was 18 or 19. Staying away from home is not easy at all. However, building strategies for the game consumes all your time and I am blessed that my parents understand the requisites to be an efficient chess player," Das said.

Das won the Rapid National Chess Championship in April this year. He had also held former world champion Vaselin Topalov of Bulgaria to a draw in the Masters category of the Gibraltar Chess Festival in England this February.

Becoming the ambassador will help him to a great extent and he is proud to be associated with the milk federation. "Travelling to international events is extremely expensive and one hardly gets a sponsor in Odisha. I am lucky to have got associated with such a trustworthy brand," said Das.

The youngster loves to play computer games such as Counter Strike and outdoor sports including basketball and tennis. Das is working hard for an upcoming championship in August. He aspires to be the best player ever from the country.

"Chess is growing fast in India, especially in Odisha. There is a lot of competition. Hence, I have to work hard to become the top player of the country," said Das.

"Das is a very talented player and an asset for the state. We are proud to have him as our ambassador," said Omfed managing director Bishnupada Sethi.