Surya: Increasing Number of Indians Participating in World Chess Championship Cycle

The rise of Indian chess players on the world stage has been nothing short of remarkable, with three Grandmasters making it to the Candidates this time around. GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly, who has been closely following the progress of these young talents, believes that this is just the beginning of a new chess culture in India.

Having witnessed D Gukesh’s impressive performance in the recent meet, Ganguly is confident that more Indian players will soon break into the World Chess Championship cycle. He attributes this success to the dedication and focus of these young players, who have shown resilience and determination in the face of challenges.

Ganguly credits top coaches like Vishnu Prasanna and RB Ramesh for laying the foundation for this success, along with the guidance of legends like Viswanathan Anand. He believes that the humility and eagerness to learn displayed by players like Gukesh, Pragg, Nihal, and Arjun have set them apart on the world stage.

Looking ahead to the World Championship later this year, Ganguly is optimistic about India’s chances. While World champion Ding Liren may be the favorite on paper, Ganguly believes that players like Gukesh have the potential to surprise everyone with their performance.

As the Indian chess community celebrates this new era of success, Ganguly’s words serve as a reminder that the game is played on the board, and anything is possible with the right mindset and determination. The future of Indian chess looks bright, with more young talents ready to make their mark on the world stage.