Viswanathan Anand, the five-time world champion and a legend in the world of chess, has shared his insights and advice for the three Indian participants in the upcoming Candidates Chess Title. The immensely talented R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh, and Vidit Gujrathi are the three Indians competing in the meet’s open category.
Viswanathan Anand’s advice for the Indian contingent ahead of the 2024 Candidates
Anand emphasized the importance of experience over youthful exuberance, expressing his belief that the three Indian participants still have some way to go before contending for victory. He suggested that they should first settle into the tournament before harbouring hopes of clinching the title.
The Candidates tournament, set to unfold in Toronto from April 3-22, holds significant stakes as it will determine the challenger for the next World Championship. Anand’s perspective underscores the need for the Indian contenders to acclimate to the tournament atmosphere before aiming for top honours.
“The Indians are a long shot. If they can keep the tournament going that’s good enough. If a late opportunity presents itself, they can grab it. They should first settle into the tournament and try to play good games. Let the big decisions come later,” said Anand in a webcast.
Anand’s perspective extends beyond mere experience, focusing on those who have previously competed at the elite level. This marks the debut appearance for all three Indian participants in the Candidates chess title, a fact Anand highlighted. However, Anand noted that Gujrathi stands out as a unique case, possessing a blend of experience and debutante energy.
Among the world’s elite, including Anand himself, there’s a consensus regarding the favourites for the tournament. Anand, along with many others, views Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura of the United States as clear frontrunners. Meanwhile, he considers Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia and Alireza Firouzja of France as the unpredictable contenders in the mix.
