New Delhi: Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand lauded D Gukesh for his never-say-die attitude and his ability to take setbacks in his stride while remaining focused on the ultimate goal after his historic triumph at the World Chess Championship 2024. Gukesh created history by becoming the youngest chess world champion at 18 after beating China’s Ding Liren in a dramatic 14th and final game at the Championship in Singapore on Thursday.
It was a moment to savour for millions back home as Gukesh wrapped up what many predicted to be an unlikely victory over Liren in Game 14 as the newly-crowned world champion shed tears of joy. Gukesh became only the second Indian after Anand to become a world chess champion and the youngest to clinch the prestigious title at 18.
In an exclusive interaction with News9’s senior editor Meha Bhardwaj Alter, a proud Anand opened up on the success of his mentee and shared his views on the controversy surrounding the final. Anand said Gukesh’s journey at the World Championship 2024 had a magical feel to it considering how the the Indian ace had to deal with setbacks on multiple stages in the final but ended up overcoming every obstacle to realise his ultimate dream of becoming a world champion.
“It’s got a magical feel to it. He started out thinking I have to give my best shot this time, I will try and see how far I can go. And then suddenly, everything clicked. He overcame a lot of obstacles but if you look at his journey, it’s pretty amazing,” said Anand, who mentored Gukesh at his academy for 4 years and played a key role in shaping his career.
“In the World Championship, he starts off by winning the first game and then totally unflustered, he keeps trying despite missing chances here and there. He wins games but suffers a big blow in the game 12. In game 14 when it looks like it’s heading for a draw suddenly boom it happens.
Look you don’t become the youngest world champion in history just like that but it definitely feels like everything clicked and worked out perfectly. Credit goes to Gukesh for his attitude. He took every setback in stride, kept working, kept the spirits up and did everything perfectly,” he added.
Viswanathan Anand backs D Gukesh to become an all-time great
Gukesh has the world at his feet having become a chess world champion at the age of 18. He broke the record held by Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he won the prestigious title in 1985. However, Gukesh, who headed into the World Chess Championship final, ranked 5th in the world, has a long way to go in his career.
Anand believes the prodigious talent from Chennai has the potential to become one of the greats of the game if he can continue to perform at similar levels as he has age on his side.
“Definitely, he has the potential and he has the time. He became the youngest world champion at 18 and he has so much time to achieve his goals,” Anand told News9.
Viswanathan Anand explains Ding Liren’s decisive blunder
While Gukesh deserves credit for creating relentless pressure on Ding throughout Game 14, it was a crucial error from the Chinese that allowed the Indian to capitalise and seal victory. Ding made the blunder in the dying moments of the game when a miscalculation from the Chinese in a bid to mobilise his king and rooks allowed Gukesh to utilise his active pieces and better pawn structure to close the game.
Explaining the reason which might have triggered the decisive blunder from Liren in the crucial moment in the game, Anand said the Chinese was trying too hard for a draw which might have led to his downfall. He also insisted blunders are part of World Championship finals considering the monumental pressure on the players.
“It’s not that rare a thing. When you put someone under pressure blunders happen and blunders are never pretty. The problem with Ding in this match was, not in all the games but occasionally he wanted the game to be over and wanted to wrap it up and then he tried too hard for a draw yesterday. And that may have led to his downfall,” said Anand.
Viswanathan Anand’s role in shaping D Gukesh’s career
The flagbearer of chess in India and inspiration to budding chess players across the country, Anand played a key role in helping Gukesh become the chess player that he is today. Anand revealed how he took a 14-year-old Gukesh under his wings at his WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA) in Chennai and started mentoring him.
Though he believed Gukesh had the talent, he never thought the Chennai prodigy, who started getting invites for major tournaments just a couple of years back, would go on to win the World Championship crown at just 18. Lauding Gukesh, Anand said he is a complete package at such a young age.
“I had a chance to work with him very closely. Four years ago, I invited him to join my academy and he joined right away. For 4 years I have had a chance to interact with him and even in the optimistic scenarios, I didn’t predict that in 4 years he would become a world champion. He is just like a bullet. He is a complete package,” said the 5-time world champion.
The chess legend also opened up on his contribution towards the sport post-retirement and revealed how he likes to remain involved through his academy and in other capacities as a mentor or a coach. Anand said he is happy to do whatever he can for chess to grow further in India and also credited other coaches and the players, who are giving their all to take Indian chess to a greater height.
“I think I have played my part. I was the person who kept chess in the news for a very long time and brought it back as a sport that everybody follows and enjoys. I have contributed in other ways as well, I mentioned my academy, and I have worked in different capacities. I have also enjoyed, this is the sport I love and I am happy to do what I can,” said Anand.
“There have been others, other coaches, other trainers also you have to credit the kids, they have also sacrificed a lot. So everyone has played their part,” he added. Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand lauded D Gukesh for his historic triumph at the World Chess Championship 2024 and said the 18-year-old, who became the youngest world champion of all time, has the potential to become one of the all time greats of the game. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
