Why Is Viswanathan Anand Missing From India Squad At Chess Olympiad 2024?

The 45th Chess Olympiad is underway and India are yet again without the services of their Chess legend Viswanathan Anand. But why is he missing in the Indian squad?

The 45th Chess Olympiad, organised by FIDE, is being held in Budapest, Hungary, from September 10 to 23, 2024. The Indian teams competing include Vidit Gujrathi, R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, Pentala Harikrishna in the open team and Harika Dronavalli, R Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agarwal, Tania Sachdev in the women’s team.

Notably, five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand is not part of India’s 2024 Chess Olympiad squad, like in the previous edition. Players like R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh, Vidit Gujrathi and others have continued his legacy in recent years for the Indian men’s team. Here’s why Anand is missing in the India’s Olympiad squad again: (Image Credits: PTI)

Anand, who continues to be a prominent figure in Indian chess, is currently ranked 11th in the FIDE world rankings. The top 10 features two other Indian players: Arjun Erigaisi at No. 4 and D Gukesh at No. 7, while Praggnanandhaa holds the 12th position. (Image Credits: PTI)

Earlier this year, D Gukesh made history by becoming the youngest-ever winner of the Candidates Chess Tournament at 17. Similarly, R Praggnanandhaa achieved significant milestones by securing multiple victories over former world champion Magnus Carlsen and reigning champion Ding Liren. (Image Credits: PTI)

The emergence of India's young chess talents, such as Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa, may have influenced Viswanathan Anand's decision to step aside and let the new generation shine on the world stage. Anand has played a key role in mentoring these young players, supporting their development and success. (Image Credits: PTI)

Moreover, Anand has openly stated that he is in a "semi-retired" phase, suggesting he is gradually stepping back from competitive chess. (Image Credits: PTI)

"I will play a few events next year. I don't know yet what they are; I hope to play in Spain again. Semi-retired sort of means that I am slowly transitioning out instead of quitting one day, I am pacing myself," Anand had told PTI. (Image Credits: PTI)