Chess 2.0 has come to India

Nitin Narang

His victory has also shone a light on a new, inspiring side of his personality. Beyond Gukesh’s brilliance as a chess prodigy, he is a humble and grounded young man rooted in Indian values. He spoke highly of his defeated opponent and expressed gratitude to the Almighty, the nation, society, team, family, and parents for their support. A true hero celebrates victory and accepts defeat with equal grace. Gukesh’s parents, Rajinikanth and Padmakumari, have gone through a lot. They gave up their careers and comforts to fulfil their son’s aspirations.

Another Indian grandmaster, Arjun Erigaisi, has reached the gold-standard ELO rating of 2800. He became only the second Indian after Anand and the 16th player ever to cross this prestigious mark. Erigaisi now holds the fourth spot in the latest global rankings.

At the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad, India’s teams won two gold medals in the team events, while in the individual category, it secured four gold medals. These victories have established India as the top chess nation in the world. The world admired the steady and studied aggression of our players. At the same time, our powerful Pentad, the G-5 — comprising Grandmasters Harika Dronavalli and Vaishali Rameshbabu along with International Masters Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal and Tania Sachdev — delivered brilliant performances, earning praise from the nation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chess is a mind game, and everything depends on how contestants make their rivals blink first. That’s what Indian chess players learnt from Anand and have now taken it to another level. Indian chess has transitioned from the Anand era to a new pantheon of prodigies. Indian Chess 2.0 is a blend of urja (energy) and anubhav (experience), with Anand mentoring and guiding new talents. Five-time world champion Anand was once the lone flag-bearer for India, keeping the country’s dominance alive on the chess map and breaking the monopoly of the erstwhile Soviet Union and Western nations in chess. Watching Indian players dominate now, Vishy is sure to feel proud.

The All-India Chess Federation (AICF) is fully aware of the paradigm shift Indian chess has undergone in recent months and is ready to make this transition impactful. Gukesh has become a role model for the aspiring youth of the country, and heady times for Indian chess have just begun. Gukesh’s victory is sure to spark significant corporate interest. The AICF aims to build on this momentum by creating more opportunities for aspiring players, including platforms, training programmes, top-tier coaching, and sustained player support. Grzegorz Gajewski was more than a coach to Gukesh. He acted as a sherpa in his ascent to the world title. Notably, Gukesh also benefited from the guidance of Paddy Upton, renowned for his expertise in mental conditioning and experience with the Indian cricket and hockey teams.

With a budget of Rs 65 crore, the federation has laid the foundation for a thriving chess ecosystem in India. Key initiatives include a dedicated chess development fund, financial backing through player contracts, and extensive coaching programmes at all levels. The federation also plans to support district and state associations and introduce an India-specific AICF rating system.

Challenges persist. They include integrating chess into school curricula, creating e-learning modules, identifying emerging talents, and strengthening grassroots academies to ensure AICF’s long-term sustainability. None of these are insurmountable. The game was once a household staple in India, with every village boasting gifted players. People had a natural flair for the game, even in small towns like Gangoh, where I grew up. These hidden geniuses hone their skills in towns and villages, waiting for the right opportunity. Gukesh’s victory and the feats of his contemporaries will undoubtedly inspire them to dream big.

Chess isn’t a game that India has adopted. It is a homegrown sport deeply woven into the nation’s cultural and traditional fabric. Our players have shown that chess can produce as much adrenaline as any other sport. Now, Indian chess is poised to write its next golden chapter — a story the world will eagerly watch unfold.

The writer is the president of the All India Chess Federation