Friendship Trumps Competition at FIDE World Cup
In an extraordinary display of sportsmanship and camaraderie, German chess grandmasters at the FIDE World Cup in Goa demonstrated that friendship can thrive even in the heat of intense competition. European champion Matthias Blubaum found himself in an uncomfortable position when paired against his compatriot Alexander Donchenko for a spot in the last-16, yet their professional rivalry didn't prevent them from sharing meals and maintaining their close bond.
Dinner Before Battle
Despite knowing they would face each other in a crucial encounter the next day, Blubaum and Donchenko enjoyed dinner together on the eve of their match. Their friendship extended beyond the dining table as they were joined by two other German Grandmasters, Vincent Keymer and Frederik Svane, for an evening walk around Goa.
The sportsmanship continued even after Donchenko secured a tough victory against the two-time European champion the following day. The competitors shook hands, exchanged smiles, and shared another meal later that same day, proving that their personal relationship transcended the competitive nature of the tournament.
German Contingent Shines in Goa
The German chess delegation has been making significant waves at the World Cup, with four players advancing to the fourth round and two securing spots in the pre-quarterfinals. This strong performance puts one of them in contention for the coveted Candidates spot, though Blubaum has already secured his place through a different route.
"I've known the German players since childhood," Blubaum revealed. "I don't like playing against the other Germans, it's quite tough for me. Sometimes one guy wins, sometimes the other. Of course, you are not happy when you lose, but it is what it is. At the end of the day, we are professionals."
The German champion emphasized the challenging nature of competing against friends, noting that none of the German players wanted to face each other in such high-stakes games at the World Cup.
Blubaum's Alternative Path to Candidates
While most players were battling for three Candidates' spots at the World Cup, Blubaum took a different approach to qualification. After a slow start at the Grand Swiss tournament with two draws, the German grandmaster made a remarkable comeback that included upsetting top seed R Praggnanandhaa, ultimately finishing among the top two to secure his Candidates qualification.
Blubaum expressed hope for his compatriots, saying, "I would root for both Frederick and Alex to make it to the semifinals from the top bracket. I guess it's theoretically possible we get three Germans in the semifinals. Just a theoretical chance, though extremely unlikely."
His prediction proved accurate when favorite Vincent Keymer was knocked out of the World Cup by Russia's Andrey Esipenko later that Thursday. The German hopes now rest on Donchenko and Frederik Svane as they battle to join Blubaum at the Candidates tournament.
The German chess contingent has shown that in their world, friendship and professional respect can coexist with fierce competition. As Blubaum perfectly summarized: "We are all good friends, known each other for many, many years. It's just nice to have people you know around at this tournament. We have lunch, dinner together, do other stuff as well. Win or lose, we are always together."
