Period of Vishy’s kids dawns: Garry Kasparov on D Gukesh’s historic triumph
Chess legend Garry Kasparov hailed D Gukesh’s historic World Chess Championship triumph on December 12 as a watershed second for Indian chess and a continuation of Viswanathan Anand’s enduring legacy. At 18, Gukesh grew to become the youngest-ever world chess champion, defeating Ding Liren within the decisive 14th sport in Singapore to assert a 7.5-6.5 victory.
Kasparov, who held the report for youngest world champion for almost 4 a long time, supplied heartfelt congratulations to Gukesh. The Indian Grandmaster pounced on Ding’s blunder within the remaining classical sport of the World Championship match on Thursday and Kasparov lauded the Indian teenager’s focus and solidity at crunch moments.
“He has summitted the best peak of all: making his mom comfortable!” Kasparov mentioned.
“Gukesh impressively surmounted each impediment and opponent in his path, particularly contemplating his age, and nothing extra might be requested,” he added.
The Russian legend famous that Gukesh’s victory isn’t just a private achievement however a logo of the transformative impression Viswanathan Anand has had on Indian chess.
“The period of ‘Vishy’s kids’ is actually upon us!” Kasparov declared, referencing the era of Indian gamers, together with Gukesh, who’ve risen to prominence idolising Anand and making the many of the steering from the Indian legend.
Gukesh is from the primary batch of WestBridge Anand Chess Academy, began in 2020 by the legendary Anand.
Gukesh’s achievement caps an exceptional 12 months for Indian chess, combining his world championship triumph with India’s unprecedented Olympiad dominance. Gukesh started the 12 months by successful the Candidates and capped it off with the world title.
RAISE THE BAR HIGHER: KASPAROV TO INDIA
Kasparov highlighted this synergy, remarking, “Chess has returned to its cradle,” and urging India to construct on its present momentum.
“The summit has been reached; now the objective have to be to boost it even increased for the following ascent.”
Kasparov’s remarks echoed his earlier feedback throughout India’s historic double gold on the 2024 Chess Olympiad, the place he celebrated the nation’s ascent as a chess superpower.
As many as 4 Indians are within the high 20 of the FIDE rankings for classical chess. Aside from Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi can be within the high 5. Arjun breached the ELO ranking of 2800 earlier within the 12 months, changing into solely the second Indian man after Viswanathan Anand to go previous the coveted mark.
‘NOT THE STORY TODAY’
Kasparov had performed down the importance of the world chess championship, saying Magnus Carlsen not selecting to compete for the crown took the sheen out of the competition.
Nonetheless, the Russian legend mentioned he was keen to miss Carlsen’s absence to provide Gukesh and Ding the credit score they deserved for placing on a spirited present in Singapore.
“My ideas on the historic world championship lineage with Magnus exterior are recognized, however that isn’t the story at present,” he mentioned after Gukesh’s triumph on Thursday.
Carlsen is extensively thought to be one of many biggest gamers within the historical past of chess. Carlsen grew to become the sixteenth undisputed World Chess Champion in 2013, defeating Viswanathan Anand, and went on to efficiently defend his title in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021.
Nonetheless, Carlsen selected to not defend his World Chess Championship title in 2023, citing an absence of motivation. He criticised the exhaustive preparation required, which he felt had develop into overly centered on opening concept on the expense of pure chess abilities. Carlsen defined that the method of making ready for the championship now not excited him.
