Gujrathi denies hyperlink between criticism of Gukesh and FIDE-Freestyle Chess feud, backs world champion to shine in Norway

Gukesh Dommaraju has been dealing with criticism from the likes of Magnus Carlsen ever since he
defeated China’s Ding Liren to grow to be the youngest world champion in chess historical past. Regardless of the 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster occurring to complete second on the Tata Metal Chess in Netherlands proper after the World Championship, his
underwhelming performances within the ongoing Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour have given his critics extra ammunition to query his credentials as somebody who actually deserved to be counted among the many world’s finest.

Norway Chess will likely be a very good take a look at for Gukesh, feels Gujrathi

Fellow Indian GM Vidit Gujrathi, nonetheless, got here to Gukesh’s rescue, stating that whereas Gukesh takes his time to adapt to different codecs, he remained a drive to be reckoned with within the Classical format and backed him to shine on the Norway Chess later this month.

Gujrathi additionally denied comparability between Gukesh’s criticism in addition to the continuing feud between FIDE and the Carlsen-backed Freestyle Chess.

“I believe these two points are fairly completely different. As for Gukesh, it’s too quickly to evaluate. He’s simply achieved the world championship title, and he had a robust efficiency at Wijk Aan Zee. Classical chess is clearly his power, and I believe the upcoming Norway Chess in Might will likely be a very good take a look at for him,” Gujrathi, who made his Freestyle Chess debut in Paris final month, advised India Immediately.

“It’s well-known that Gukesh hasn’t paid as a lot consideration to different codecs, and it takes time for him to regulate. So, he most likely nonetheless wants extra time to adapt to Freestyle and different codecs. However I’m positive he needs to excel in all of them as a result of, to be a real world champion, being proficient throughout all codecs is predicted. I’m assured he’s extremely motivated to enhance in that space.

“As for the FIDE vs. Freestyle conflict, I haven’t delved into the small print a lot, however any battle that doesn’t contribute to the game’s development isn’t best. I hope they’ll come to an settlement as a result of I don’t assume it needs to be about selecting between classical chess and Freestyle chess. Each can coexist, and if they’ll work out the best way to make that work, it will be nice for the game,” he added.

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Anand assured forward of Gukesh vs Carlsen conflict at Norway Chess

After his runner-up end on the Tata Metal Chess at Wijk aan Zee, the place he
misplaced to compatriot R Praggnanandhaa in tie-breaks, Gukesh was off to an underwhelming begin within the opening occasion of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour in Weissenhaus – the place he failed to gather a single win.

And within the second occasion in Paris final month, Gukesh shared the eleventh spot with Gujrathi after the 2 gamers failed to succeed in the quarter-finals.

Gukesh will likely be in motion on the Norway Chess, which takes place in Stavanger, Norway from 26 Might to six June – that means the Chennai lad will likely be celebrating his nineteenth birthday away from house. The central attraction of the occasion will likely be Gukesh’s showdown with Carlsen, his first with the present world No 1 since he turned world champion.