Dec 24, 2024 07:16 IST
First published: December 24, 2024 at 07:15 IST
In a cricket crazy country like India, it is a significant development when chess makes headlines and captures the attention of the nation. D Gukesh’s unprecedented win has not only filled Indians with pride, but also launched Indian Chess 2.0. The year 2024 has been pivotal for Indian chess, with many historic performances by our players on the international stage. Today, India boasts of many chess talents to carry forward the legacy of Viswanathan Anand.
In a thrilling World Chess Championship, Gukesh displayed exceptional poise and skill to defeat defending champion Ding Liren 7.5–6.5 to become India’s second world champion after Anand. Breaking records is not child’s play – it takes decades of dedicated effort and years of hard work. By winning the title at the age of 18, Gukesh also became the youngest ever world champion, breaking the four-decade-old record held by legendary player Garry Kasparov, who won the title at the age of 22 in 1985.
His victory has also illuminated a new, inspiring side of his personality. Beyond Gukesh’s talent as a chess prodigy, he is a humble and grounded young man rooted in Indian values. He praised his defeated opponent and expressed his gratitude to God, nation, society, team, family and parents for their support. A true hero celebrates victory and accepts defeat with equal grace. Gukesh’s parents Rajinikanth and Padmakumari have suffered a lot. They gave up their careers and comforts to fulfill their son’s aspirations.
Another Indian grandmaster, Arjun Arigaisi, has reached the gold-standard ELO rating of 2800. He became the second Indian after Anand and the 16th player to cross this prestigious mark. Arigaisi is ranked fourth in the recent global rankings.
In the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad, Indian teams won two gold medals in the team events, while in the individual category, it won four gold medals. These victories have established India as the top chess nation in the world. The world admired the steady and studied aggression of our players. At the same time, our mighty pentad, the G-5 – Grandmasters Harika Dronavalli and Vaishali Rameshbabu along with International Masters Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agarwal and Tania Sachdev – performed brilliantly, earning accolades from the nation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Chess is a mind game, and everything depends on how the contestants outwit their opponents first. This is what Indian chess players learned from Anand and now they have taken it to the next level. Indian chess has transitioned from the Ananda era to a new pantheon of prodigies. Indian Chess 2.0 is a blend of Urja (Energy) and Anubhav (Experience), with Anand guiding and mentoring new talents. Five-time world champion Anand was once the lone flag-bearer for India, keeping alive the country’s dominance on the chess map and breaking the monopoly of the then Soviet Union and Western nations in chess. Seeing the Indian players dominate now, Vishy will feel proud.
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is fully aware of the paradigm shift Indian chess has undergone in recent months and is ready to effectuate this transition. Gukesh has become a role model for aspiring youngsters in the country, and the prime time for Indian chess has just begun. Gukesh’s win is sure to generate significant corporate interest. The AICF aims to build on this momentum by creating more opportunities for aspiring players, including platforms, training programs, top-level coaching, and ongoing player support. Grzegorz Gajewski was more than a coach for Gukesh. He played the role of Sherpa when he won the world title. Notably, Gukesh also benefited from the guidance of Paddy Upton, renowned for his expertise in mental conditioning and experience with the Indian cricket and hockey teams.
With a budget of 65 crores, the federation has laid the foundation of a flourishing chess ecosystem in India. Key initiatives include a dedicated chess development fund, financial support through player contracts, and comprehensive coaching programs at all levels. The federation also plans to support district and state associations and implement an India-specific AICF rating system.
Challenges remain. They include integrating chess into the school curriculum, creating e-learning modules, identifying emerging talent, and strengthening grassroots academies to ensure AICF’s long-term sustainability. None of these are insurmountable. The game was once a household staple in India, with every village boasting talented players. Even in small towns like Gangoh, where I grew up, people had a natural taste for sports. These hidden geniuses hone their skills in towns and villages, waiting for the right opportunity. Gukesh’s victory and the achievements of his contemporaries will no doubt inspire them to dream big.
Chess is not a game adopted by India. It is a domestic game deeply woven into the cultural and traditional fabric of the country. Our players have shown that chess can produce as much adrenaline as any other game. Now, Indian chess is all set to write its next golden chapter – a story that the world will eagerly watch.
The author is the President of the All India Chess Federation
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