Ace Indian chess GM D Gukesh is slated to take on Chinese GM Ding Liren in the final of the World Championships later in the year, and the overwhelming consensus across the chess world is that the Indian teenager holds the edge over his competitor in the summit clash.
The 18-year-old said that he was glad for the support and added that the expectation does not create any added pressure.
“I’m glad that people say that I am expected to win, and in general, I’m happy with my form. But it doesn’t really add any pressure,” Gukesh began.
“I think it’s just the pressure of playing in the World Championship. But there is no additional pressure by what people are saying. I just want to play a good game in every round and see what happens,” he added.
“For me, it’s just a match against a very strong player. And I’m sure he’ll be coming to the match with the right spirit and he’ll be trying his best,” the Indian explained.
“So my approach is just to treat every game with the utmost respect and energy and give it my best,” he continued.
Gukesh was one of the shining lights of India’s maiden Chess Olympiad gold and the teenager stated that the triumph would act as a catalyst ahead of the upcoming summit clash.
“It was a very special performance for me personally. And I’m very glad with how I played and how I handled different situations in the Olympiad. It’s surely a confidence booster for the World Championship.”
China opted to rest Liren for the game against India at the Olympiad in Hungary, but Gukesh revealed that he was prepared to take on the player if push came to shove.
“The day before the match, we thought very likely he’ll play. But there’s a chance that he might not because he lost the previous round. So I was ready for both scenarios. It was not a huge surprise and it doesn’t make a huge difference,” Gukesh added.
“It’s tough for anyone to play after a loss, and it’s very understandable that he didn’t want to play, and we already played in the Sinquefield Cup. So we got a bit of a teaser before the match. So yeah, there’s no regrets there.”
Gukesh has enjoyed a remarkable year, but he had to endure testing times in the previous year, before his fortunes turned around at home during the Grandmasters event in Chennai.
“Before the Chennai Grandmasters it was clear that I was not in a good mental state. I was having this rough phase, the tournaments before the Chennai were all pretty bad and the candidate’s qualification was taking a toll on me,” the prodigy opened up.
“But I think after the Chennai performance I kind of got back into my rhythm and I am glad it continued also in the Candidates,” he added.
“Chess wise too, emotionally I am feeling much better than what I was feeling last year. I’m playing good chess. Pretty much all the games that I’ve played recently have been some good games, some bad games, but not really any very bad games. And I have felt sharp during games and tournaments,” Gukesh elucidated.
A win over Liren in the final of the championship would make Gukesh only the first player after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, who clinched the title five times, to claim the crown.
Gukesh also added that Anand’s triumph against Magnus Carlsen in the 2013 final, also in Chennai, was one of his first experiences in the game.
“I have studied most of the matches as many chess players would. The first real experience for me was the 2013 match between Vishi sir and Magnus in Chennai and that time I was just starting out in chess and it was inspiring to see such a huge match happening close to my home,” he added.
