Vidit Gujrathi, the Indian chess grandmaster, is a testament to the power of accidental opportunities. His journey began not with a chessboard but with a cricket bat. As a mischievous six-year-old, Gujrathi dreamt of becoming a cricketer like any other Indian child. However, his parents, seeking a more structured activity for him, introduced him to chess. This accidental initiation, as Gujrathi fondly describes it, proved to be a “very happy accident.”
His father became his first chess coach, and Gujrathi’s initial motivation was simple: to win against his father. This drive, coupled with his natural talent, saw him rise through the ranks and eventually achieve the coveted title of Grandmaster in 2013. His journey was further highlighted by his silver medal win at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
The recent Chess Olympiad in Budapest was a defining moment in Gujrathi’s career. He was part of the five-member Indian men’s team that clinched a historic gold medal in the open category. The victory was even more special as the Indian women’s team also secured gold, making it a double celebration for the country. “It has not sunk in yet but I do know this achievement is going to stay with us for a long time. A score of 21 out of 22, the highest-ever and it would be hard to break this record. With the women’s team also winning gold, it was double the joy. You cannot write such a perfect script,” Gujrathi shared.
This historic victory was a testament to the team’s camaraderie and the spirit of mutual support. “This was the same team that played in the Asian Games. That was the first time we all were together. We won silver there and there were lessons that we learnt there. This time, we came with a new vibe – we were rooting for each other, celebrating each others’ success,” Gujrathi explained.
The team’s success wasn’t a surprise to those who knew their potential. “As we got closer to the event, we started to realise that pressure had started to build. But what took the pressure off is when we started to play we won first game 4-0, second game 4-0,” Gujrathi shared. This victory, Gujrathi believes, is a dream come true for any chess player. Now, he eagerly awaits the moment to celebrate this historic win with his family, the pillars of his success. “I want to celebrate and meet my family. Without them, I would have not been here. I want to celebrate with them,” said the player, whose parents and sister are all doctors.
