Teenaged GM Gukesh Achieves Memorable Victory Over Idol Anand in Rapid Segment
In a thrilling turn of events at the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz tournament, part of the Grand Chess Tour, young Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh achieved a momentous win over his illustrious compatriot and idol, Viswanathan Anand. The 17-year-old prodigy secured victory over the five-time world champion in the eighth round of the Rapid event, marking his very first win against Anand in their maiden tournament match-up.
With a total of 10 points each, both Gukesh and Anand are currently tied for fourth place in the tournament standings. Reflecting on his triumph, Gukesh expressed his joy, stating, It was a very important win. I’m happy. He described the match, saying, I thought I was better, but he equalised quite easily. Then he blundered the back rank. And after that, the position got really tricky. It was very hard to play from there. Gukesh also revealed that he had a post-match discussion with Anand, sharing insights on the game.
Amidst the fierce competition, Fabiano Caruana and Ian Nepomniachtchi maintained their positions as co-leaders after the conclusion of the Rapid event, each with 12 points. While Anand fell behind by two points, the world’s number one player, Magnus Carlsen, recovered from his earlier setback to claim a clear third position heading into the two-day blitz segment.
Apart from his loss to Gukesh, Anand managed only draws against Jan-Krzysztof Duda of Poland and Nepomniachtchi in the seventh and ninth rounds, respectively. Gukesh began the final day of the Rapid section with a loss to Caruana but made an incredible comeback by stunning Anand and securing a draw against Duda.
Moving forward, the tournament will proceed with an 18-round blitz segment following the completion of the rapid event. The participants include top players such as Carlsen, Anand, and Nepomniachtchi, among other prominent chess figures. The rapid section of the tournament adhered to a time control of 25+10, whereby two points were awarded for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. In contrast, the upcoming blitz section will feature a time control of 5+2, employing the conventional 1, 1/2, 0 scoring system.
The Grand Chess Tour encompasses a series of international events that showcase the world’s finest chess players. The tournament attracts both established champions and rising talents, further solidifying its reputation as a premier chess competition.
With Gukesh’s remarkable victory over Anand, the younger generation of chess players continues to make strides and leave their mark on the illustrious history of the sport. As the tournament progresses, chess enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the dynamic battles that lie ahead, with players striving to outwit and outmaneuver their opponents on the board.
