Chess GOAT says it's time India raised the game as 'Vishy's child' Gukesh triumphs
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Garry Kasparov, widely regarded as the Greatest player of all-time, has urged India to raise its game now that D Gukesh has become the youngest world chess champion.
"Gukesh was well-prepared, and the player who played the best won the match. 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!" Kasparov posted on social media.
"India is a nation with an unlimited pool of human talent, combined with the freedom to explore and develop it. The future is bright, not only in chess. The summit has been reached and now the goal must be to raise it even higher for the next ascent. Congratulations again. Upward!"
Gukesh's rise to the top has ended India's 12-year world title-drought. Five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand last won in 2012. Though the great Indian contested two more world championships, in 2013 and 2014, he lost to Magnus Carlsen.
Kasparov, who won the world title six times, showered praises on the 18-year-old champion. "Gukesh impressively surmounted every obstacle and opponent in his path, especially considering his age, and nothing more can be asked."
Meanwhile, fellow Russian Vladimir Kramnik, who won the world title twice, was not quite impressed by the outcome of the championship. He left a controversial post on X, inviting the ire of Indian chess fans. "No comment. Sad. End of chess as we know it," Kramnik posted.
He was disappointed with Ding Liren's blunderous move that enabled Gukesh to turn a draw into an unexpected win. "Nevet yet WC title was decided by childish one move blunder," Kramnik posted. However, he was wrong about it as in the 1892 World Chess Championship title match between Mikhail Chigorin and Wilhelm Steinitz, the former made a one-move blunder to lose. Nevertheless, Kramnik's controversial comment has been met with angry remarks from Gukesh fans.