Viswanathan Anand Applauds Historic Moment: Four Indian Chess Prodigies Storm Into FIDE World Cup Quarterfinals

Viswanathan Anand acknowledged the statistical likelihood of one or two players advancing to the quarterfinals and was pleasantly surprised by the remarkable feat of all four aspirants.

New Delhi: Indian chess icon Viswanathan Anand expressed profound admiration for the exceptional accomplishment of four Indian chess prodigies progressing to the quarterfinals of the FIDE (International Chess Federation) World Cup 2023. Anand hailed this momentous juncture as a historical milestone for Indian chess, celebrating the achievements of D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and Vidit Gujarathi in the prestigious global tournament taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Anand, revered as a five-time world champion, conveyed his sentiments through a video disseminated by chess.com. He emphasized the significance of the diverse pool of adept players who have exhibited remarkable prowess, elevating Indian chess to unprecedented heights.

He acknowledged the statistical likelihood of one or two players advancing to the quarterfinals and was pleasantly surprised by the remarkable feat of all four aspirants securing their spots. Anand radiated satisfaction, attributing the collective success of these young talents to a joyous era for Indian chess.

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The quarterfinal matchups promise riveting clashes, with Gukesh set to challenge the five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen. Another compelling encounter will witness Gujarathi competing against Azerbaijan's Nijat Abasov. Notably, an all-Indian quarterfinal battle will unfold as Praggnanandhaa and Erigaisi engage in a gripping contest on the chessboard.

Recently teenage chezz wizard D Gukesh surpassed his idol, Viswanathan Anand, in the live world rankings of the FIDE , marking the conclusion of Anand's 37-year dominance as India's foremost chess player. This was after the 17-year-old prodigy, outshined his opponent Iskandarov of Azerbaijan in an enthralling second-round encounter spanning 44 moves.

The FIDE recognized Gukesh's exceptional accomplishment in a tweet, highlighting his surpassing of Viswanathan Anand in live ratings. It is anticipated that this gifted young chess player is poised to ascend to the prestigious top 10 rankings globally, thereby securing the position of India's highest-rated player. This momentous feat is eagerly anticipated to be confirmed upon the official release of the FIDE rating list on September 1.

(With Inputs From PTI)