AICF President Narang Commends Gukesh, Declares a New Era of Chess in India

New Delhi, Dec 14 (NationPress) The president of the All-India Chess Federation (AICF), Nitin Narang, extended his congratulations to D. Gukesh for becoming the youngest World Champion in history, while also recognizing the importance of the expert team he has assembled to attain this remarkable achievement.

The 18-year-old Gukesh triumphed over China’s Ding Liren in the 14th and final game of the 2024 World Chess Championship Match held at Resort World Sentosa in Singapore on Thursday, making him the 18th World Champion in chess history. He is also the second Indian to hold the title after the five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand.

Gukesh surpassed the long-standing record set by chess icon Garry Kasparov, who won the championship in 1985 at the age of 22 years, 6 months, and 27 days.

On Saturday, AICF President Nitin Narang praised Gukesh for this incredible accomplishment, stating, "Gukesh's victory is not merely a milestone in his career but also engraves India's name in golden letters within the annals of chess history. Throughout the tournament, he exhibited exceptional focus and patience, which serves as a great inspiration. Gukesh has become a role model for the youth today."

"Following the 'King of Chess,' Viswanathan Anand, it would be fitting to refer to Gukesh as the 'Crown Prince of Chess.' Today, Gukesh has shown himself to be the Abhimanyu of chess, breaching his opponent's defenses with precise moves at critical moments. Truly, Gukesh has reaped the rewards of his decade-long dedication," Narang remarked in a note released on Saturday.

Narang attributed Gukesh's achievement to the exceptional team of experts he assembled, which enabled him to become the youngest victor of the Candidates Tournament and now the youngest World Champion.

"It is often said that behind every champion lies an extraordinary team working diligently," Narang noted.

He emphasized the contributions of Paddy Upton, a distinguished mental conditioning coach renowned for his work with the Indian cricket and hockey teams.

"It is no coincidence that Paddy Upton, the esteemed coach with experience in Indian cricket and hockey, dedicated immense effort to elevate Gukesh’s mental conditioning. This mental fortitude was crucial, allowing Gukesh to thoroughly analyze each of his opponent's moves and ultimately shift the match's momentum in his favor," Narang said.

"His coach Grzegorz Gajewski played a pivotal role in honing his abilities, instilling an unwavering spirit to win, enhancing his skills for rapid play, and, importantly, teaching him resilience during challenging moments.

"Gukesh's entire team — Radoslaw Wojtaszek, Pentala Harikrishna, Vincent Keymer, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, and Jan Klimkowski — showcased remarkable enthusiasm and teamwork, standing alongside Gukesh to help him steer the game in India’s favor," he added.

Gukesh was fortunate to have the mentorship of Viswanathan Anand, who, akin to Dronacharya, refined his talent, the note indicated.

"Gukesh’s victory is not merely a cause for celebration; it has evoked numerous emotional moments for all of us. This win has unlocked new possibilities and heightened our awareness of our capabilities.

India has long awaited a young prodigy capable of elevating the nation's flag on the international stage and continuing the legacy established by Viswanathan Anand.

"Gukesh has not only met our expectations but has exceeded them. It was Viswanathan Anand who disrupted the dominance of Soviet and Western nations in chess and established India’s prominence. Now, Gukesh is continuing that victorious journey.

"In essence, with Gukesh's triumph, we have entered the 2.0 chapter of chess in India, a chapter that promises the addition of numerous new records. Early indicators of this transformation in global chess were seen at the beginning of 2024, as India’s time was evidently on the rise," Narang noted, referencing the grand double achieved at the recently concluded Chess Olympiad in Budapest, where both the men's and women's teams clinched gold medals in their respective categories.

"Today, alongside Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi is also ranked in the FIDE Top 5.

Gukesh's victory has ignited a renewed enthusiasm for chess in the country, and we anticipate positive developments in the future," he remarked.

Narang concluded by stating that India, given its vast population and immense talent, is evolving into the premier chess ecosystem globally, as the Chess Federation is committed to making the concept of "Chess in Every Home" a reality. "Our motto is Har Ghar Chess, Ghar-Ghar Chess," he stated.