Image Source: The Indian Express
India is currently experiencing a significant surge in its chess scene, and according to Magnus Carlsen, the five-time world champion, this marks the beginning of a “chess revolution” in the country. The number of grandmasters in India has dramatically increased in recent years, going from only 20 prior to 2010 to a remarkable 82 within the last 13 years.
What makes this development even more remarkable is the presence of nine Indian players in the top 100 spots of the FIDE classical chess rankings. These players include Viswanathan Anand (World No. 9), Gukesh D (No. 13), Vidit Gujrathi (No. 26), Arjun Erigaisi (No. 30), Pentala Harikrishna (No. 32), R Praggnanandhaa (No. 47), Nihal Sarin (No. 53), SL Narayanan (No. 85), and Aravindh Chithambaram (No. 100). Notably, players such as Gukesh, Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa, and Sarin are still in their teenage years, demonstrating the depth of talent and potential for future growth.
India’s chess scene has experienced a remarkable upswing, with an increasing number of grandmasters and a strong presence in the top 100 rankings. The emergence of young and talented players suggests that India’s chess revolution is just beginning, providing a promising future for the country’s chess landscape.
Additionally, Magnus Carlsen expressed his excitement about the growing interest in chess among the general public and the media in India. He believes that India is currently witnessing a remarkable influx of young, talented chess players who are making a significant impact on the chess scene. Carlsen sees this as the beginning of a chess revolution that was sparked by Viswanathan Anand’s achievements as a grandmaster and world champion.
Carlsen is confident that the chess revolution in India will continue to thrive and improve. He acknowledges the increasing number of Indian grandmasters being produced, surpassing previous records. Carlsen specifically highlighted the exceptional skills and early breakthrough of D Gukesh, emphasizing that players like him will become the norm rather than the exception in the future.
Overall, Carlsen believes that the future of Indian chess is incredibly promising, with a lot to look forward to. He expressed his optimism after his team’s loss in the Global Chess League, recognizing the impressive developments taking place in Indian chess and the immense potential for further growth and success.
In Summary
Magnus Carlsen, who is teammates with D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa in the Global Chess League (GCL), has been engaging in extensive chess discussions with them during meals. Carlsen acknowledges the exceptional skills of all three players and provides assistance whenever they seek guidance. However, he also notes that most of the time, they don’t require his input as they are capable of handling the game on their own.
Carlsen finds the conversations with these Indian prodigies highly interesting, particularly due to their exceptional calculation abilities. He specifically praises Praggnanandhaa’s performance in online rapid chess tournaments, highlighting his remarkable skills in that format. Carlsen has been impressed by the progress these players have shown in the GCL and believes they are taking significant steps forward in their chess development.
Despite the recent defeat of Carlsen’s team, the Alpine Masters, they currently hold the top position in the GCL standings along with the Ganges Grandmasters, accumulating 12 match points.
