Anand to Decode India’s Chess Legacy and World Championship Hopes

India’s chess prodigies are gearing up for the ultimate showdown as D Gukesh prepares to challenge reigning champion Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship title clash in Singapore this November-December. With the country’s rich history in the game, there’s no one better than five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand to decode what this moment means for India.

Anand, India’s first grandmaster, has paved the way for the current generation of chess stars, from Gukesh to Praggnanandhaa to Arjun Erigaisi to Vidit. As the upcoming World Championship approaches, Anand will be sharing his insights at the Express Adda event in Chennai on June 16, alongside his wife Aruna and top-ranked player Arjun Erigaisi.

India’s dominance on the chess board was evident at the recent Candidates tournament, where five Indian players competed across the open and women’s sections. This tournament determines the challenger to the sitting world champion, making it India’s best chance to reclaim the crown since Anand’s reign was ended by Magnus Carlsen.

While Anand has scaled back his playing commitments, his influence on the current crop of Indian Grandmasters is undeniable. His WestBridge Anand Chess Academy has been instrumental in nurturing the talents of these young prodigies, guiding them towards success on the global stage.

The Express Adda event, organized by The Indian Express Group, provides a platform for engaging conversations with key figures driving change. Previous guests have included prominent personalities like External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, and cricket icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

As India’s chess stars prepare to make their mark on the world stage, the legacy of Viswanathan Anand continues to inspire and guide the next generation of champions.