World Rapid Champion Ian Nepomniachtchi stormed out of the FIDE World Cup after a shocking loss to India’s Diptayan Ghosh. He then blamed “conditions in India” for his defeat. As the West continues to downplay India’s chess dominance, this latest controversy exposes more than just bruised egos. From Gukesh’s world title to the rise of Indian prodigies, it’s clear that the chess capital of the world has shifted, and not everyone is happy about it. Is the Western chess elite feeling the heat of India’s rise?