Sunday, 22 December 2024
Sunday, 22 December 2024
D Gukesh’s meteoric rise to becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion has set the global chess community abuzz. At just 18, Gukesh shattered records and claimed his place in history by defeating China’s Ding Liren in a thrilling finale. While congratulations poured in from across India—ranging from prominent cricketers and politicians to President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi—the chess world is divided. His triumph has drawn admiration from legends, yet some contrasting reactions highlight the evolving dynamics of chess today. Here’s a roundup of what prominent voices in the chess world had to say about this momentous achievement.
Vladimir Kramnik ‘End of chess as we know it’
Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik was scathing in his critique, calling the match’s quality disappointing. He referred to Ding Liren’s critical blunder as a "childish" mistake and lamented on X (formerly Twitter), “Sad. End of chess as we know it.” Kramnik also expressed disbelief at how the title was decided, stating, “Never yet has a WC title been decided by such a childish one-move blunder.” His comments ignited debates about the level of play in the championship.
Andrei Filatov: ‘Calls for an investigation’
Russian Chess Federation president Andrei Filatov stirred controversy by alleging foul play in the final game. He suggested Ding Liren’s decisive blunder looked deliberate and called for a FIDE investigation. “The actions of the Chinese player in the decisive segment are extremely suspicious,” Filatov claimed. This added weight to Kramnik’s critique, highlighting a broader skepticism from Russian voices about the legitimacy of the championship’s outcome. Together, their criticisms underscore a growing tension over the standards of elite play.
Viswanathan Anand: ‘Ignore the critics, history was made’
Indian chess legend and Gukesh’s mentor, Viswanathan Anand praised the young champion for his resilience, attributing much of Gukesh’s success to his ability to channel mentorship into results. Anand emphasized how years of guidance at the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy honed Gukesh’s psychological and strategic depth. "This victory isn’t just talent—it’s the culmination of relentless hard work and an ecosystem of support," Anand noted. “I was literally watching history being made,” Anand said, adding that criticism is inevitable with success. Highlighting Gukesh’s journey, Anand remarked, “From the Olympiad to the Candidates, Gukesh has shown immense growth. This victory is the culmination of relentless hard work.” He also lauded Gukesh’s psychological depth, stating, “He wore down his opponent, proving his maturity and patience.”
Garry Kasparov: ‘A peak surmounted’
Garry Kasparov, whose record as the youngest world champion Gukesh broke, applauded the feat. “Gukesh has summitted the highest peak of all: making his mother happy,” Kasparov wrote on X. He defended the match’s quality, pointing out that blunders are not uncommon in championship games. Calling this a defining moment for Indian chess, Kasparov said, “Gukesh’s victory caps a phenomenal year for India. The era of ‘Vishy’s children’ is truly upon us!”
Magnus Carlsen: ‘A massive moment for India’
Reigning world number one Magnus Carlsen lauded Gukesh for capitalizing on opportunities. “Winning this championship is a huge motivation for him,” Carlsen said during a stream. He speculated that Gukesh could soon challenge for the top global ranking. While he praised Gukesh’s preparation and adaptability, Carlsen ruled out facing him in a title match, stating, “I’m not part of this circus anymore.”
Vidit Gujrathi: ‘Mental toughness sets him apart’
Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi credited Gukesh’s mental resilience and fearless approach for his success. “He’s ready to burn the bridges, which is essential to win,” Vidit said. He also praised Gukesh’s decision to work with mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton, calling it a “brilliant move” that paid off in high-pressure games. “At 18, Gukesh is willing to take risks, and that’s what sets him apart,” Vidit added.
The chess world might grapple with contrasting views on Gukesh’s triumph, but one thing is clear—the 18-year-old’s victory is a watershed moment for the sport. With India’s chess ecosystem reaching new heights, Gukesh’s journey inspires a generation of aspiring players. Whether hailed as a prodigy or critiqued for the match’s quality, Gukesh’s name is now etched in history.
