CHESS | After the World title, the goal is now to dominate the game: Gukesh’s mentor

Gukesh dethrones Ding and realises his dream of changing into a World champion
| Picture Credit score: Particular Association

Gukesh’s mentor and former coach, GM Vishnu Prasanna, stated he was indescribably blissful that his ward has achieved their main aim at simply eighteen years of age!

Talking over cellphone on Thursday after Gukesh received the World title, he stated: “Unimaginable! I imply I used to be not anticipating the match to finish this manner. I’m simply very blissful! Can’t even describe it!”

He had truly taken his eyes off the final recreation, when his excited spouse alerted him of Gukesh’s imminent win.

“My spouse was extra excited and he or she was leaping! She was the one who informed me. I had stopped watching the sport. She was like, ‘The (analysis) bar is transferring,’ and so forth.”

Speaking in regards to the match basically, he stated: “The video games the place Gukesh refused a draw and simply stored enjoying, these have been what confirmed a number of character. I feel it was a really troublesome match. There was no technique to say which method it might go.

“I believed tie-breaks have been even, truly. As a result of, he (Gukesh) can be coaching in shorter codecs and so forth. He might at all times shock folks. I imply 60-40 or regardless of the numbers (odds) have been, these don’t matter in a match.

“It’s all about nerves and vitality and stuff like that. It’s not so simply measurable. I believed he was changing into stronger in fast and blitz video games.”

Talking in regards to the highway forward for them, now that the first aim has been achieved, Prasanna stated: “To dominate the game, is the goal now. To grow to be the No. 1 within the rankings, for certain. Although he’s received the match, I’d not say he has proven a lot distinction between him and Ding or so many different gamers. To point out that distinction like Magnus (Carlsen), is a aim.”

Requested what Gukesh’s win meant for Indian chess, he stated: “It (chess) goes to be an enormous sport in India, I hope. I’m certain the title will keep in India for some time.

“Hopefully, with Gukesh, however you will notice a number of Indians successful a number of issues. So, I’m certain that extra folks could be engaged with the game and there will likely be extra heroes in chess.”

R.B. Ramesh, who had favoured Gukesh and predicted that the match wouldn’t final your complete set of video games, had a phrase of reward for Ding.

“It was good to see that Ding managed to beat his psychological demons. He put up an excellent combat, and solely to see that all the things crumbled in only one transfer!

“Full appreciation for Ding as nicely for an excellent combat regardless of his psychological situation”.