Indian chess is at an all-time high, and there is much interest in the sport across the country at the moment. With the Global Chess League (GCL) round the corner and Gukesh Dommaraju involved in a World Championship title clash in exactly a month and a half, interest is all set to be sustained and even peak over the next few weeks.
Speaking to RevSportz, R Praggnanandhaa, a key member of the gold-medal-winning team at the Chess Olympiad, made a huge statement, which should come as music to the ears of every Indian chess fan. He not only backed Gukesh to win the world title, but also said he would be very surprised if it didn’t happen.
“At this point, Gukesh is a massive favourite to win the world title,” said Pragg. “In fact, he is the overwhelming favourite going into the tie.” When I asked him why, he put things in context quite beautifully. “Gukesh has been in red-hot form for some months now,” he said. “If you see him play, you know he is in a good frame. He is playing some excellent chess and the results are proof of what I am saying. While Gukesh is at his best, Ding Liren has not been at his best shape in the recent past. He isn’t playing exceptionally well, and while one expects him to sort things out and be ready, I will say Gukesh has a massive chance to win the contest.”
The match, which will be played in Singapore between November 20 and December 15, could just see Gukesh become the youngest world champion in chess. Knowing Gukesh fairly well and how thoroughly he prepares, it isn’t wrong to say he will be in top shape for the contest. “After the Olympiad, he is busy with a series of functions and felicitations,” said his father who has been a strong influence on Gukesh’s rise to the top of the chess pantheon. “But then, post-Sunday, he will be away in a camp and start to train for the final. He will be back in Chennai for a week starting October 10, and thereafter the focus will be squarely on the title contest.”
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In fact, it is his father who makes sure that Gukesh is able to shut out all outside noise and focus only on his game when he needs to. While Gukesh was in Delhi for a day or two after returning from Budapest, his dad was back in Chennai readying things for the next couple of months.
Gukesh did not have it easy in 2023. At one point, he was not even going to make the Candidates. A slump in form and some average results meant he was on the verge of missing out. Having seen and faced adversity, Gukesh knows how to handle pressure well. He has seen failure, and that’s what has readied him for success. He was brilliant in the Olympiad and, as Pragg said, is playing some of his best chess.
R Vaishali, gold medallist in the women’s section and another of our stars, agreed with her brother’s prediction. “I think Pragg is right in saying so,” said Vaishali, as she gets ready to leave for London for the second edition of the Global Chess League. “Gukesh is playing some seriously attractive chess, which is great to watch if you are a fan of the sport. I love watching him play, and it is a treat to do so. He is clearly the favourite going into the title clash. While I expect a fight, I will of course be rooting for Gukesh to make history.”
While the pressure will build on Gukesh in the coming weeks, if things do go to plan, India could have its second world champion after Viswanathan Anand by mid-December, and the youngest ever at that. It would be the best Christmas gift for the sport, and for every Indian chess fan.