 "Vidit Gujrathi on D Gukesh's World Chess Championship title win: 'Gukesh was ready to burn the bridges'")
India Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi credited D Gukesh’s “mental toughness” after the latter secured a historic World Chess Championship title by beating China's Ding Liren in Singapore on Thursday. According to Vidit, Gukesh’s mental toughness is what sets him apart and also noted Gukesh’s willingness to win rather than his worry of losing.
D Gukesh wins 2024 World Chess Championship | Complete list of winners till date
‘He’s very strong mentally’: Vidit Gujrathi on D Gukesh
Gukesh defeated Ding 7.5-6.5 in the 2024 World Championship match to become only the second Indian to clinch the title. “One quality that sets him (Gukesh) apart is his mental toughness. He is very strong mentally. Another thing that sets him apart is his fighting spirit. The will to win is so much higher than the worry of losing. Ding had a passive mindset. Whereas, Gukesh was ready to burn the bridges. Only when you are able to do that, you can win," Vidit told Rupha Ramani during an exclusive interview on First Sports show.
Gukesh, 18, became the youngest-ever world chess champion as he broke Garry Kasparov’s record. The Asian Games silver medallist said that being a youngster, Gukesh was ready to take risks. “He (Gukesh) is very competitive by nature. When he loses, it affects him. The age plays a factor here. When you are young, you are willing to take risks. Have you seen a 30-year-old rash drive? But 18-year-olds do it all the time," he said.
‘Paddy Upton was a great choice’: Gujrathi
Gukesh had hired mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton in October, while preparing for the World Championship match. Upton has previously worked with the Indian cricket team and the Indian hockey team. Vidit termed the appointment of Upton as a “great choice”.
“Paddy Upton was a great choice to work with. It (chess) is a very tough sport. The pressure of a six-hour game day in and day out is a lot. It takes a toll on your health. In physical sports, you can let go of your aggression, but here (in chess) you have to channelise it," commented the 30-year-old.
India won a historic double at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Hungary earlier this year and Vidit said that India has transformed from being an “emerging superpower” in chess. “The Olympiad did a lot of things for India. People’s perspective changed towards India. Many believed India is the emerging superpower in chess. But the Olympiad win made people realise they (India) are the thing now,” he said.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsVidit, who was part of that Olympiad-winning team, hoped that Gukesh’s win would inspire kids to take up chess. “So many people were following the world championship. Many kids will take up chess. Only good things are in store and we will have to wait and find out. Maybe some revolution is in place," he stated.
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