Viswanathan Anand Expects Exciting Battle in Norway Chess with Indian Grandmasters Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi

Indian grandmasters D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi are set to take on world champion Magnus Carlsen in the upcoming Norway Chess event, and legendary chess player Viswanathan Anand believes it will be an exciting battle.

The event, scheduled to take place in Stavanger City from May 26 to June 6, will also feature two other Indian players, R Vaishali and Koneru Humpy. Anand expressed his excitement for the competition during a chat organized by the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai.

“I expect a very exciting battle,” Anand said. “Both Gukesh and Arjun will not lack motivation or determination to go after Magnus. But Magnus is highly motivated by our youngsters if I can still call them that.”

Anand highlighted the growth of chess in India, noting that the presence of four Indian players in the event is a testament to the strength of the country’s chess scene.

Speaking about innovations in the game, Anand mentioned the confession booth and armageddon as interesting additions. He emphasized the importance of finding the right balance of innovations to avoid overwhelming players.

Anand also shared his experience with the confession booth, admitting that he was not used to it and often forgot to utilize it during games. He suggested that younger players like Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, and Arjun may benefit from reminders to make use of these new features.

Overall, Anand believes that the upcoming Norway Chess event will be a thrilling competition, with Indian players poised to make their mark on the international stage.