OSLO: D Gukesh has expressed his desire to play the World Chess Championship match in India, stating that it would be "super cool" to do so. The 19-year-old chess prodigy made these remarks during a press conference on the eve of the Norway elite tournament, which commenced on Monday.
Gukesh's Preference for India
The 18th world champion is scheduled to face Javokhir Sindarov later this year. The challenger has indicated a preference for playing in a warm country rather than his home Uzbekistan, citing the cold weather in November and December. Gukesh's stated preference is somewhat surprising, considering Viswanathan Anand's 0-3 defeat (with seven draws) to Magnus Carlsen in the 2013 Chennai match. Notably, Carlsen never played any of his five title matches in his home country of Norway.
Anand's Perspective on Choice
Anand recently shared his views on Li Chess's YouTube channel, saying, "You don't get to choose many things, including timelines and venues. Hence I would not have had a chance to choose. I played against Carlsen and I was not happy that it happened in Chennai. I was not happy it happened right away, just a year after the 2012 match against Gelfand. But I had not lost my connection with reality that I do not get to choose these things."
Gukesh on Form Criticism
Gukesh acknowledged that the critical comments about his form are fair. "I myself would say that my performances are way below expectations. The audience has a right to say what they feel, I have a right to do my job the best possible way. And I am focused on that," he stated.
Carlsen's View on World Championship
Carlsen, who held the world title from 2013 to 2023, retained his numero uno status by winning numerous elite classical tournaments. However, his place in history was measured by the world titles he won. The Norwegian spoke about feeling trapped by the expectations of others. "It was a challenge for me to find the world championship as important as others did. I never felt that way. I thought I was doing it for others than myself," he said.
Gukesh's Challenges
Gukesh's task is more challenging because, unlike Carlsen, he has not been winning other tournaments. His Elo rating has slipped from 2794 to 2732, and he has dropped to No. 18 in the world rankings. Unlike Anand and Carlsen, Gukesh is still a work in progress as a chess player, having not yet attained playing maturity but still winning the highest title available. He commented, "Everyone underestimates the spotlight and expectations that come along with the title. I had to deal with it but at the same time, pressure is a privilege. It's a chance for me to grow."
