It’s that time of the year when what Magnus Carlsen wears becomes global headline. The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships will be played in Doha from December 25-30.
Why is Carlsen’s choice of attire a talking point? The Norwegian superstar caused a stir at this event last year when he turned up in jeans, which is against the FIDE’s dress code, showed his middle finger to the world governing body after being pulled up and eventually quit the rapid segment. He came back in jeans to win the blitz title.
That sort of drama apart, there is not a lot to look forward to. That’s because last year, the race to the Candidates was open. The World Rapid and Blitz is one of the qualifying events. But this year, all the eight slots have already been booked in the open section. In the women’s category, there is one berth remaining, but no Indian is in realistic contention for that.
For practical purposes, it’s all about prestige, reputation and prize money. The winners in the rapid and blitz sections get 70,000 euros each. That’s incentive enough and that’s why this year’s World Championships in the shorter formats is more about those, with not much else at stake.
Does it mean it’s going to be a drab affair devoid of drama? There is no reason to think that is going to be the case. When Carlsen is in the fray, there can’t be dull moments. The maverick, undisputed No. 1 player in all formats is a crowd-puller and show-stopper. His mere presence will elevate the event to another level. Sometimes, he will use the ‘F’ word and sometimes, he will famously bang the table in frustration.
That brings into the equation the Indian contingent. It was after losing to D Gukesh in a rapid game earlier this year when Carlsen bared his emotions in that manner by vigorously slapping the table with his right palm. Gukesh will be there in Doha, with Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa and the rest of the Indian entourage.
It’s a fact that the Indian players in the men’s or open section are not as strong in rapid and blitz as they are in the classical format. There are three of them in the top-10 when it comes to the longest version of chess. This dwindles to none when it comes to rapid and blitz. Erigaisi is in the top-20 with Viswanathan Anand, who is not playing in Doha.
This means the Indian wave-makers in the classical format are a no force in the shorter versions. Gukesh is the world champion and Pragg and Erigaisi are formidable players. When it comes to speed chess, they are not even among the contenders.
The picture changes in the women’s section. Koneru Humpy is the defending champion in rapid and R Vaishali the bronze medallist in blitz in last year’s competition. The sharp rise of Divya Deshmukh enhances the Indian presence in this category. This is where the country’s hopes actually rest.
An eccentric Carlsen, potential of the Indian youngsters in the open section apart, the real Indian focus should be in the women’s section. The men are can-be types. The women are proven performers in speed chess and hence, the players to look forward to. Come Doha and the focus will be on Humpy & Co rather than Gukesh and gang.
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