D Gukesh Makes Competitive Return at Tata Steel Chess Masters, Supports Magnus Carlsen

The chess world is abuzz with excitement as D Gukesh, the reigning World Chess Champion, makes his competitive return at the Tata Steel Chess Masters in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands. The 18-year-old prodigy kicked off his campaign with a stunning comeback win against Dutch grandmaster Anish Giri, followed by a draw against Slovenia’s Vladimir Fedoseev in Round 2.

However, it wasn’t just Gukesh’s impressive performance on the board that caught the attention of fans and fellow players. The young grandmaster made a bold statement by showing up in casual attire, a departure from the traditional suit worn by Indian chess players during matches. This move is seen as a subtle nod of support to world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, who recently faced backlash from FIDE for wearing jeans during a tournament.

Carlsen’s defiance of FIDE’s dress code regulations led to a public spat with the governing body, with the Norwegian ultimately deciding to withdraw from the event. Gukesh’s choice to don casual clothing at the Tata Steel Chess Masters can be interpreted as a show of solidarity with Carlsen and a critique of FIDE’s strict rules.

Grandmaster David Howell, a close friend of Carlsen, praised Gukesh’s attire, stating, “It’s good that the FIDE dress code is not in force!” The Tata Steel Chess Masters allows for a more relaxed dress code, permitting participants to wear trousers or jeans, a shirt, polo, or t-shirt, and dressy shoes.

Gukesh’s bold fashion statement adds an extra layer of intrigue to his already impressive chess skills. Having made history as the youngest-ever world chess champion, Gukesh continues to make waves in the chess world with his talent and fearless attitude both on and off the board. Fans eagerly await to see what the young grandmaster has in store for the rest of the tournament.