By Siddharth Viswanathan
A flight from Chennai to Singapore takes four hours, give or take. But for Indian chess fans, the journey to redemption has taken 11 long years. Back in Chennai, 2013, the dreams of a billion were shattered when Viswanathan Anand succumbed to Magnus Carlsen, ending his illustrious six-year reign as one of the best chess players in the world. Now, 11 years later, in Singapore, Gukesh beat Ding Liren in one of the most spectacular games in the history of the World Chess Championships.
The final moments of Thursday's game will forever be etched in the minds of a billion Indians.
Gukesh, realising the ultimate blunder from Ding Liren, composed himself and kept his emotions under check. In these situations, the chances of a blunder increase many times. Gukesh, with a pawn up and going into the King's endgame, concluded the moment was his. He made the move, walked around the room and tried to keep calm. He laughed in disbelief over the blunder. When Ding offered the handshake, the emotions just poured out. A billion Indians celebrated. The World Chess Championships had come back home after 11 years.
GUKESH'S EPIC FEAT
When Gukesh won the World Chess Championships, somewhere Viswanathan Anand had a calm smile. His legacy has only been cemented by Gukesh's immortal feat. Gukesh is also part of the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy. Now, the academy has produced a world champion.
When Anand won the World Chess Championships, the era was different. There was dispute in FIDE. Many westerners felt that an Indian did not have the mentality to win a major world title. When Anand won the title in 2000, many put it down stating that FIDE was split and who is the best player disputed. But from 2007 till 2012, there was domination unlike any.
In Gukesh's case, there was a question mark as to who will take over from Anand. Social media and technology had erupted exponentially in the decade following Anand's loss. Now, chess engines were becoming sophisticated. Social media was the x-factor in preparation. Overcoming all of that at the age of 18 is truly a monumental moment.
Speaking exclusively to India Today, Viswanathan Anand remarked, "Gukesh's win will go a long way for Chess in India." The godfather of Indian Chess has never spoken truer words.
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This article is referenced from
https://www.indiatoday.in/
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