Debate Over Classical Chess: Carlsen and Aronian’s Perspectives

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh Makes History as Youngest World Chess Champion

At just 18 years old, Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh has etched his name in the history books by becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion. His remarkable achievement came after a thrilling match against defending champion Ding Liren in Singapore. The intense battle went down to the wire, with Gukesh emerging victorious in the fourteenth game after Ding made a costly blunder on the 55th move, leading to his resignation and Gukesh’s historic win.

The news of Gukesh’s triumph sent shockwaves across social media, with fans, chess legends, and experts celebrating the young Indian’s remarkable feat. However, the victory was not without controversy, as world-renowned chess player Magnus Carlsen downplayed Gukesh’s success. Carlsen expressed his belief that classical chess is not the best way to determine the world’s best player, advocating for rapid chess as a more competitive and engaging format.

Carlsen’s sentiments were echoed by Armenian-American Grandmaster Levon Aronian, who also shared similar views on the state of classical chess. Aronian, a former world No. 2 and a top-ranked player, discussed the potential for lower-rated players to draw against top Grandmasters with proper training, highlighting the need for more dynamic and exciting gameplay in the sport.

Drawing parallels with other sports, Aronian emphasized the popularity of rapid formats and compared the evolution of chess to changes in wrestling and boxing. He argued that altering the rules and focusing on scoring points can make the game less competitive and engaging, pointing to MMA as a more exciting and dynamic sport compared to traditional boxing.

Aronian, known as one of the highest-rated chess players in history, has won multiple FIDE World Cup titles and continues to be a prominent figure in the chess world. His recent switch from the Armenian Chess Federation to the United States Chess Federation reflects his commitment to advancing the sport and seeking better opportunities for players.

As the debate over classical versus rapid formats continues in the chess community, Gukesh’s historic win has sparked discussions and reflections on the future of the game. With young talents like Gukesh making their mark on the world stage, the chess world is poised for exciting developments and new challenges in the years to come.