Chess legend Garry Kasparov has showered praise on D Gukesh, the newly crowned world chess champion, celebrating a victory that marks not only a personal triumph but also a significant moment for Indian chess. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kasparov eloquently summarized Gukesh’s achievement, stating, “He has summitted the highest peak of all: making his mother happy.” This heartwarming sentiment underscores the emotional weight of Gukesh’s incredible journey to the pinnacle of the chess world at such a young age.
Kasparov acknowledged the young champion’s remarkable feat, highlighting his ability to overcome every obstacle and opponent in his path. He emphasized that Gukesh’s age only adds to the impressiveness of his accomplishment. “Gukesh impressively surmounted every obstacle and opponent in his path, especially considering his age, and nothing more can be asked,” Kasparov stated. This powerful statement encapsulates the sheer magnitude of Gukesh’s victory and the unwavering determination he displayed throughout the tournament.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the match quality, sparked by criticisms from Grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik who suggested the match marked ‘the end of chess as we know it’ due to numerous blunders, Kasparov offered a contrasting perspective. He vehemently disagreed with Kramnik’s assessment, asserting that the level of play was exceptionally high, on par with previous world championship matches. He pointed to Ding Liren’s resilient performance as evidence of the match’s intensity. Kasparov astutely reminded everyone that blunders are inherent in high-stakes chess matches, citing even his own past experiences and a memorable double blunder in the 2014 Carlsen-Anand match. He emphasized that the presence of blunders does not diminish the overall quality or significance of the competition. In fact, he suggested that it is the very nature of high-stakes chess to be prone to occasional errors under immense pressure.
Ultimately, Kasparov attributed Gukesh’s victory to superior preparation and skill, stating, “Gukesh was well-prepared and the player who played the best won the match.” This statement underscores the dedication and strategic brilliance that propelled Gukesh to his historic win. Furthermore, Kasparov celebrated India’s remarkable year in chess, connecting Gukesh’s triumph with the country’s recent dominance in the Chess Olympiad. He proclaimed, “His victory caps a phenomenal year for India. Combined with Olympiad dominance, chess has returned to its cradle and the era of ‘Vishy’s children’ is truly upon us!” This statement highlights the burgeoning talent pool in India and the legacy of former world champion Viswanathan Anand.
Kasparov’s optimism extends beyond the chessboard. He foresees a bright future not only for Indian chess but for the nation as a whole. Using the powerful metaphor of reaching a summit, he stated, “The summit has been reached and now the goal must be to raise it even higher for the next ascent. Congratulations again. Upward!” This concluding statement perfectly encapsulates the inspirational nature of Gukesh’s victory and the exciting future it promises for Indian chess and beyond.
