Indian Chess Player Vidit Gujrathi Calls for Professionalism in Scheduling of Events

Indian chess player Vidit Gujrathi, who recently became a Grandmaster at the age of 16, has spoken out about the lack of professionalism in the scheduling of chess events. Gujrathi, who was part of India’s gold-winning campaign in the Chess Olympiad, believes that the sport’s ecosystem needs a major overhaul to ensure players have more balance in life.

In an interview with PTI, Gujrathi expressed his concerns about the back-to-back tournaments that chess players are expected to participate in, which can take a toll on their physical and mental well-being. He highlighted the importance of rest and recovery in any sport, but noted that chess players are often expected to perform at their best every single day without breaks.

Gujrathi emphasized that it’s not just the international chess federation or national federations that need to bring about change, but the entire ecosystem of the sport. He believes that there needs to be more attention given to the well-being of players and the scheduling of events to allow for adequate rest and recovery.

Despite his success in various tournaments, Gujrathi sees these achievements as stepping stones towards his ultimate goal of winning the world title. He is still searching for the formula that will give him more consistency in his play and is experimenting with different strategies to improve his performance.

Gujrathi also shared his thoughts on the upcoming World Championship final between India’s D Gukesh and defending champion Ding Liren, scheduled to take place in Singapore later this year. He believes that Gukesh is a clear favorite and hopes for an exciting and competitive match for spectators to enjoy.

Overall, Gujrathi’s comments shed light on the challenges faced by chess players and the need for greater professionalism in the sport’s ecosystem to ensure the well-being and success of players.