Indian earthquake in Toronto: Kasparov
Former World champion, whose record Gukesh broke on Sunday, says the triumph marks the ‘shifting tectonic plates’ in the game’s global order
It’s “the Indian earthquake in Toronto”, said Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov as he lauded teen Grandmaster D. Gukesh for becoming the youngest-ever challenger for the World title, a triumph which marks the “shifting tectonic plates” in the game’s global order.
The 17-year-old Gukesh bettered the record created by none other than Kasparov 40 years ago. The Russian was 22 when he quali ed in 1984 to clash with compatriot Anatoly Karpov.
“Congratulations! The Indian earthquake in Toronto is the culmination of the shifting tectonic plates in the chess world as the 17 year old Gukesh D will face the Chinese champion Ding Liren for the highest title,” wrote Kasparov on ‘X’, referring to the Russian domination of the past.
Lauding Anand
Kasparov acknowledged ve-time World champion Viswanathan Anand’s contribution to Indian chess, saying, “The ‘children’ of Vishy Anand are on the loose!” Kasparov was responding to a congratulatory tweet by Grand Chess Tour following Gukesh’s success.
“Congratulations to Gukesh D for his victory in the FIDE Candidates, securing his place as a challenger in the World Championship Match! We eagerly anticipate his participation in our grand chess tour events!,” wrote Grand Chess Tour on ‘X’.
In another social media post Kasparov highlighted the shift in power centre of chess. “Look at the names of many of the top junior players in the USA and England to see that the Chinese and Indian diaspora are just as passionate to achieve at chess.
“The Kasparov Chess Foundation has watched this wave rise and Gukesh’s success will raise it further,” Kasparov, the undisputed World champion from 1985 till 1993, wrote on ‘X’.
Kasparov was ranked World No. 1 for a record 255 months overall, from 1984 until his retirement from regular competitive chess in 2005.
Swapnil Kusale shot 592 to top quali cation in men’s rie 3-position event in the Olympic selection trials here on Tuesday. Olympic quota winner Swapnil had 199 in kneeling, 199 in prone and 194 in standing.
Chain Singh was one point behind with 591, while the other Olympic quota winner Akhil Sheoran shot 589. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar had a tough start, shooting 576, with 188 in standing position.
It may be noted that Aishwary has the advantage of “deemed quota”, which gives him two bonus points like what Olympic quota winners Swapnil and Akhil get in the trials.
In women’s rie 3-position event, Ashi Chouksey topped quali cation with 590, seven points ahead of Asian Games gold medallist and world record holder Sift Kaur Samra. Olympian Anjum Moudgil shot 581, while the Olympic quota winner Shriyanka Sadangi managed to shoot 575, the same score as Nischal. The nals will be staged on Wednesday.
The results (qualification stage):
50m rifle 3-position: Men: 1. Swapnil Kusale 592; 2. Chain Singh 591; 3. Akhil Sheoran 589; 4. Niraj Kumar 579; 5. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar 576. Women: 1. Ashi Chouksey 590; 2. Sift Kaur Samra 583; 3. Anjum Moudgil 581; 4. Shriyanka Sadangi 575; 5. Nischal 575.