Nagpur: Like many Indian youngsters, the five-time Dutch champion Anish Girinow in number 20 FIDE rankingHe began playing chess with his mother at a very young age and became one of the youngest grandmasters at the age of 14. The 30-year-old player has participated in seven Olympiads. Giri made his debut global chess league Thursday as an icon player for the PBG Alaska Knights.
In an exclusive interview with TOI, Giri shared his views on various aspects of the game and acknowledged India as a chess powerhouse. He also stressed that chess has now become very global, with strong players around the world making it difficult for any one country to dominate.
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your thoughts on world championship Match between Ding Liren and D Gukesh,
It is really impressive that Gukesh has achieved the qualification at such a young age. Everyone is aware of Ding’s recent struggles with form, although he appears to be improving. However, his nervousness is still visible across the board in his current tournaments. I’m really hoping that Ding will be there to give us a great match between two extraordinary players.
Whose side are you on in this match?
I will go with Gukesh. He seems to be in a great mental state and is incredibly focused. It may seem a little intense sometimes, it works for him and he looks strong.
With Carlsen out of the World Championship cycle, how do you see the prestige and credibility of the world crown?
We have to acknowledge that this has happened before – Fischer retired and Kasparov eventually withdrew. If Carlson wants to go, we have to move forward. He is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, players of all time. But at some point, we have to stop comparing players from different eras and move on with the current cycle.
How do you see the future of classical and Fischer random chess developing?
Fischer Random Chess has been heavily promoted by Magnus Carlsen and his influence in chess is tremendous. Although I’m not sure the broader public has fully embraced it yet, Carlson has really taken it forward. The new tour starting this year is very exciting and I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops. I didn’t expect it to grow so fast, but from Carlson’s efforts, it’s clear that he’s carrying it on his shoulders.
There has been a lot of discussion about the process of selecting players for the candidates. Your thoughts…
This is a complex issue. It depends on whether you want the strongest field or a balanced mix of favorites and losers. Underdogs add excitement to the tournament by creating opportunities for other players. For example, the participation of lower-ranked player Nizat Abbasov made a significant difference this round. Gukesh was able to defeat him twice, which not everyone could do. The current system, along with entertainment, could particularly benefit from adjustment. FIDE Circuit. The concept is interesting but poorly implemented in some areas, such as the point system and the funding behind the events.
Are there any specific trends or issues in chess that you are particularly excited or critical about?
I’m excited by how chess is becoming younger and more global, with talent emerging from all over the world. This proliferation is accelerating the growth of the game globally. However, given the possibility of using computers to cheat, the downside is increased speculation of fraud. Although I believe there is very little cheating in chess, the rapid development of the game has made some players paranoid, which is a downside.
Chess is an individual game, but how does it change when played in a team like in the Global Chess League?
Playing in a team increases both pressure and support. It is important to support each other and ensure that each player performs at his best. I’ve experienced both sides – being pushed by teammates and feeling empowered, but also having my confidence shattered by subtle comments. In team events, we have to make sure that we are stronger together than we are individually.
How do you evaluate your team in the Global Chess League?
My team is awesome. Our youth are favorites on their board, and the women players are extremely strong with a world-class level. We have incredible players like Shakhriyar and Nodirbek, who are probably the strongest on our board. On the icon board, I am facing incredible challenges against players like Magnus Carlsen and Vishwanathan Anand, so it is going to be tough for me. But I think our team is very balanced and everyone is contributing to our strengths.
What are your views on Indian chess and the progress of youth?
Chess in India has seen incredible growth, with many talented players emerging. The top group includes Gukesh, Arjun and Praggnanandhan, and just below them are players like my teammate Nihal. India has become a chess superpower thanks to role models like Vishwanathan Anand. However, chess is now very global, and there are many strong players from all over the world, so it is hard to dominate.
Have these Indian youngsters progressed by playing in teams with senior Grandmasters like you?
Absolutely. Young people are learning and growing fast. I have seen this firsthand, like when I played Praggnanandhaa in an online tour a few years ago. Every time we faced each other, I could see his improvement and it was remarkable to see his progress in just a few months. Only experiences like the Global Chess League will make him stronger.
Do you see Arjun qualifying for the next Candidates Tournament?
This seems very likely. He is on a tremendous run at the moment.
