A sudden change has occurred in the lineup for the 10th Vugar Gashimov Memorial Chess Super Tournament, set to take place in Azerbaijan from September 25th to 30th. Aravindh Chithambaram will be replacing Vidit Gujrathi, the defending champion, at the prestigious event. Vidit, who had just led the Indian men’s team to a historic gold medal at the Chess Olympiad, was initially scheduled to defend his title. He even arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan, but had to return to India due to a commitment to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This unexpected turn of events leaves Aravindh Chithambaram as the sole Indian representative in the tournament, which will feature 10 players competing in both rapid and blitz formats. The Vugar Gashimov Memorial, organized by the Vugar Gashimov Foundation, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Azerbaijan Chess Federation, stands as a tribute to the legendary Azerbaijani chess player, European champion, and international grandmaster Vugar Gashimov.
Aravindh Chithambaram, known online as @pawnof64squares, will now face the challenge of upholding India’s reputation in this highly competitive tournament. While the absence of the reigning champion, Vidit Gujrathi, will be felt, Aravindh’s inclusion promises an exciting and unpredictable competition. Chess enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the tournament, which promises to be a thrilling display of skill and strategy.
