Interesting, exciting developments in chess have put the focus on India and China like never before.
With India’s D Gukesh (17) and Tan Zhongyi of China having just won the Candidates tournament, they will be playing against D Liren and Ju Wenjun later this year for a chance to become World Champions in their respective categories – Men / Open and Women!
The Asian era in chess, too, has arrived!
The reigning World Champions are both from China. China will have the opportunity to repeat the feat even as Gukesh will go all-out to take home the honours!
World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen had decided against playing in the Candidates!
The Candidates’ win for Gukesh has come against all odds!
Carlsen had dismissed the Candidates’ chances of all three Indians in the fray, saying that it will be a shock if anyone other than Fabiano Caruana or Hikaru Nakamura (both representing the U.S.) or Russia’s Ian Nepomniatchchi wins the title.
I had also then thought the three Indians lacked the ability to improvise, demonstrate creative spontaneity and play “outside-the-book” chess.
Gukesh may have proved all wrong, well done, boy!
In the Women’s section, it was China’s Tan Zhongyi all the way, a consistent and convincing winner, with compatriot Lie Tingjie coming second. India’s Koneru Humpy and Vaishali finished joint third.
G Joslin Vethakumar
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